MORE than twice as many adults smoke in Barrow compared with South Lakeland, a new report has revealed.

The report, titled Tobacco Free Lancashire and South Cumbria, was presented to members of the Health and Wellbeing Board for Westmorland and Furness Council on Tuesday.

It showed that in Barrow 21 per cent of adults smoke compared with 10.4 per cent of adults in South Lakeland. An average of 11.1 per cent of Westmorland and Furness residents smoke. In England it is estimated that 13 per cent of adults smoke.

The report said: “Tobacco use is the largest driver of health inequalities in England and is perhaps the most significant public health challenge that we face today.

“Recorded life expectancy for smokers is at least 10 years shorter than for non-smokers with a disproportionate impact on those from poorer backgrounds where smoking prevalence is higher, as well as those suffering from mental health conditions.”

Katrina Stephens, the director of public health for Westmorland and Furness Council, said smoking was still the biggest contributor to premature deaths in the region.

According to Public Health England, smoking causes 84 per cent of deaths from lung cancer and increases the risk of having a stroke by at least 50 per cent.

Figures show that across Lancashire and South Cumbria smoking is responsible for around 7,600 premature deaths and over 17,000 hospital admissions each year.

The government has set the target of by the year 2030 for England to be smoke free. This means that by 2030 less than five per cent of the population will smoke.

The report said currently Lancashire and South Cumbria are not on track to meet this ambition and according to Ms Stephens for Westmorland and Furness to hit this target, 10,000 people in the area will have to stop smoking without anyone else taking it up.

Westmorland and Furness Council is introducing a range of measures to help lower the number of smokers.

These include hiring a full-time smoke free co-ordinator who will implement training for schools and other partners. The council is also exploring offering incentives to pregnant women in the form of shopping vouchers to under-served women for whom giving up smoking may be more difficult.

A pilot scheme of Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking in Barrow has also received positive feedback from participants.