A Midlands town has been identified as one of the English locations where adults are most likely to smoke themselves to death, with more than one in five residents classed as current smokers, according to fresh analysis.
Nicotine product specialists at Ecigone examined the latest Office for Health Improvement and Disparities data on smoking prevalence among adults aged 18 and over. They ranked towns, cities and districts across England by the proportion of adults who currently smoke.
Blackpool topped the list with 20.8% of adults estimated to smoke, meaning approximately 20.8 in every 100 adults in the town are smokers. Pendle came second at 20.1%, followed by Boston in Lincolnshire at 19.6%. Tamworth and Lincoln tied for fourth place, both recording adult smoking rates of 19.1%.
The highest-ranking areas were spread across coastal towns, post-industrial regions, urban boroughs and Lincolnshire districts, rather than being concentrated in one part of England.
Top 10 Areas with Highest Adult Smoking Rates in England
- Blackpool: 20.8%
- Pendle: 20.1%
- Boston: 19.6%
- Tamworth: 19.1%
- Lincoln: 19.1%
- Haringey: 19.0%
- South Holland: 18.5%
- Kingston upon Hull: 18.4%
- Adur: 18.3%
- East Staffordshire: 17.3%
Shane Margereson, nicotine product expert at Ecigone, commented: "These numbers serve as a reminder that smoking remains a significant public health issue in many parts of England. For adults who smoke, the safest option is to stop using nicotine completely. However, those who cannot or will not quit immediately need credible information, age-checked access and regulated products if they are considering alternatives."
Margereson added: "The danger is that smokers under pressure to cut costs or switch quickly may end up buying illegal or unregulated products. That is where clear advice is crucial. Adults should look for UK-compliant products, avoid anything sold without proper checks, and consult stop smoking services or a health professional for support to quit."
