Smoking rates in Wandsworth among the lowest in England
Recent data has revealed that Wandsworth has one of the lowest smoking rates in England as more people cut down and improve their health.
The Council’s recent report, titled ‘Everybody did it then’, explores how smoking behaviours begin, why people continue, and what helps them stop. While around 20,000 residents still smoke, one in eight adults, Wandsworth has one of the lowest smoking rates in England and is making significant progress towards becoming smokefree by 2030.
Between 2019 and 2023, 3,851 residents made use of the borough’s Stop Smoking Service. 57% were able to successfully quit, a rate higher than the England average. Tailored support, free nicotine replacement therapies, and innovative schemes such as the Swap to Stop programme, alongside professional advice, “have proven particularly effective,” the council says.
Every year, over 500 people in the borough lose their lives as a result of smoking. It also results in 1,200 hospital admissions, and costs an estimated £211 million across healthcare, social care, lost productivity, and environmental waste. Cigarette letter alone creates up to 13 tonnes of litter every year, 5 tonnes of which ends up on Wandsworth’s streets. Cigarette litter alone adds up to 13 tonnes a year, five tonnes of which end up on Wandsworth’s streets.
The borough says its success in reducing smoking rates “is built on close collaboration between Wandsworth Council, NHS partners, local GPs and pharmacies, community services and residents themselves.”
Throughout October, Stop Smoking Advisors will be out and about across the borough:
- At the Town Hall Customer Service Reception drop-in every Monday, 10am to 3pm
- Co-hosting stalls with St George’s NHS Trust and Springfield Hospital
Health Bus
The Health Bus can offer advice and support on the following dates:
- Thursday 16 October 11am to 5pm: Roehampton Parish – St Joseph’s Church. 218 Roehampton Ln, London, SW15 4LE
- Friday 17 October 10am to 4pm: Latchmere Leisure Centre. Burns Rd, London, SW11 5AD
- Saturday 18 October, 9am to 3pm: Tooting Market. 21-23 Tooting High St, London, SW17 0SN
- Saturday 25 October 9am to 3pm: Sainsbury’s Car Park, Balham. 147-151 Balham High Rd, London, SW12 9AU
Residents can access support by:
- Exploring available services on the Council website
- Filling in a simple contact form
- Calling the free 24/7 advice line on 0800 011 4558
- Emailing StopSmokingteam@wandsworth.gov.uk
For more updates on Wandsworth, visit EyeOnLondon Wandsworth.
Follow us on:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!
We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!
