SMOKING rates in Redditch are the lowest in Worcestershire, according to new figures.

Overall, the West Midlands is the 5th highest smoking prevalence rate in England, with 14.1 per cent compared to the national average of 13.9.

The region is a tale of two halves however, with data showing that 15 out of the 30 districts are above the average smoking rate nationwide.

The worst offending district in the West Midlands is Tamworth, with 19.4 per cent of the population smoking, followed by Stoke-on-Trent (18.2 per cent) and Cannock Chase (17.6 per cent).

Redditch ranks 28th out of 30 districts in the West Midlands, with a smoking rate of 9.8 per cent.

Compared to the rest of Worcestershire, Wyre Forest has the highest smoke rate at 11.1 after Malvern, which sits at 11.6 per cent.

Wychavon and Bromsgrove follow at 10.8 per cent, followed by Worcester at 10.7.

The figures were collated by Vape Club in a campaign to encourage smoking cessation, and sourced from official Public Health England figures released on July 7, 2020.

Looking to stem the habit, NHS services across the West Midlands recorded a 1.12 per cent "quit rate" – below the average achieved across England (1.89 per cent).

The West Midlands has the lowest quit rate out of all regions in England. Stoke-on-Trent has the best recorded quit rate in the region with 3.99 per cent.

This is in stark contrast to Worcestershire, which has the lowest successful quit rate with just 0.12 per cent kicking the habit. This is the 2nd lowest quit rate out of 213 districts in England.

The added pressure smoking puts on emergency services can be seen with varying successful quit rates across the region.

Dan Marchant, smoking cessation expert and Director of Vape Club, said: “More and more people are starting to see that vaping offers a game-changing alternative to traditional smoking cessation methods.

"Figures show that vaping is actually twice as effective as other nicotine replacement products, and it is fantastic to see organisations such as Public Health England and the NHS embracing this public health breakthrough.

"However, there is clearly still a long way to go in getting the vaping message out to the millions of people still smoking in England.”