Wandsworth Council celebrates having one of the lowest smoking rates in England

This month, Wandsworth Council celebrates the progress our residents have made to cut down on smoking and improve their health. Recent data shows that Wandsworth has one of the lowest smoking rates in England, thanks to people, partnerships and a shared commitment to better 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.

The Council is supporting Stoptober, a public health campaign that encourages smokers to quit for 28 days in October.

Helping residents quit

Between 2019 and 2023, 3,851 residents accessed the Wandsworth Stop Smoking Service, with 57 per cent successfully quitting, 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.

Residents who took part in the service spoke about the difference personalised support made. One shared:

"Having someone there who was checking in on you was a great help. The weekly phone calls gave me the boost I needed to keep going."

The human and financial cost of smoking

Smoking still takes a heavy toll in Wandsworth. Each year, smoking contributes to more than 500 local deaths, 1,200 hospital admissions and an estimated £211 million in costs across healthcare, social care, lost productivity, and environmental waste.

Cigarette litter alone adds up to 13 tonnes a year, five tonnes of which end up on Wandsworth's streets.

Targeting priority groups and preventing the next generation

The report highlights the importance of reaching groups with higher smoking rates, including people living with mental health conditions, and smoking during pregnancy. Compassionate, culturally sensitive, and long-term support is key to helping residents quit for good.

At the same time, prevention is crucial. With youth vaping on the rise across the UK, Wandsworth is stepping up efforts to stop young people from starting smoking or vaping in the first place, with schools, families and health professionals all playing a role.

Partnerships powering progress

The borough's success is built on close collaboration between Wandsworth Council, NHS partners, local GPs and pharmacies, community services and residents themselves.

Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Safety, said:

"Everybody used to smoke, but now we have the chance to make smoking a thing of the past in Wandsworth. Through strong partnerships, innovative services and the resilience of our residents, we are closer than ever to a future where smoking is obsolete."

Shannon Katiyo, Director of Public Health for Wandsworth, said:

"Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health. This report shows the progress we've made, but also the challenges ahead. We will continue working with our NHS and community partners to make sure everyone who wants to quit gets the support they need."

Wandsworth Council remains committed to making the borough smokefree by 2030, ensuring that future generations grow up in a community where, as the report concludes: "Everybody did it then, but now a smokefree future is within reach."

Help available in Wandsworth

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

Our 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 [email protected]

Invitation to artists

In order to generate attention and spark conversations about the contents of the report with its partners and residents, Wandsworth Council is inviting applications from local artists to design and produce a creative and engaging interpretation of the report. More information can be found on the Welcome to Wandsworth website.