NEW figures show that smoking rates in Wiltshire are the lowest since record began.

The Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics put smoking rates at 8.4% – a drop from 10.6% in 2023.

Director of public health for Wiltshire Kate Blackburn said: “This is really positive news for Wiltshire and reflects the hard work and dedication of our stop smoking teams, who support residents to quit every day.

“We still have some way to go to reach our ambition of becoming a smokefree county, with smoking rates of 5% or less, by 2029.”

Director of public health for Wiltshire Kate Blackburn.

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public health and coordination with the NHS Cllr Clare Cape said smoking costs the county’s economy around £209 million in lost productivity every year, and an additional £14 million to the NHS.

“Continuing to reduce smoking rates will save lives and bring significant health and economic benefits to our communities,” she added.

Wiltshire residents can seek free support to quit smoking either by downloading the Smoke Free app, or via their local expert stop smoking service or GP.

For links to download the Smoke Free app or to contact Wiltshire Council’s stop smoking service, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/smokefree