Tobacco

Tobacco use is the biggest public health threat globally and up to half of all current users will die of a tobacco-related disease. It is a risk factor for many health conditions including lung, throat, mouth, breast and colorectal cancer; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema; cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke; miscarriage and low birth weight in babies; and hypertensive heart disease (caused by high blood pressure).

For statistics on smoking during pregnancy, please see our maternity and infancy section.

Local strategy: Tobacco Free Lancashire and South Cumbria Strategy 2023-2028

Key findings

Rates are directly standardised and are for 100,000 of the smoking population aged 35 and over, unless otherwise stated. 

• In the Lancashire-12 area, an estimated 14.5% of adults (18+) smoke, which is slightly higher than the England estimate of 13.6%. Blackburn with Darwen (15.0%) and Blackpool (22.9%) all have a significantly higher estimated proportion of adult smokers compared to England (GP Patient Survey (GPPS), 2022/23).
• At a district level, Burnley (19.6%), Hyndburn (18.5%), Pendle (17.9%), Lancaster (17.1%) and Preston (16.9%), all have a significantly higher estimated proportion of adult smokers compared to England. However, Ribble Valley (9.2%), Fylde (11.3%), South Ribble (11.4%) and West Lancashire (12%) are significantly better than England. All remaining districts in Lancashire-12 are statistically similar or lower than England.
• In the period 2022/23, approximately 2,811 people (16+ years) were recorded as ‘successful quitters at four weeks’ in the Lancashire-12 area, giving a rate of 2,041 per 100,000 smokers, which is significantly better than the England rate (1,620). Blackburn with Darwen (1,219) is worse, while Blackpool (2,574) is significantly better.
• During the 2019/20 period, Lancashire-12 (1,465 per 100,000), Blackburn with Darwen (1,768), and Blackpool (3,071) recorded a significantly higher rate of smoking-attributable hospital admissions compared to England (1,398 per 100,000).
• The smoking-attributable mortality rate is significantly higher in Lancashire-12 (229.1 per 100,000), Blackburn with Darwen (321.6), and Blackpool (379.9) compared to England (202.2) (2017-19).
• 9.6% of women in Lancashire were estimated to be smokers at the time of delivery (2023/24), which is significantly worse than England; however, the trend data shows this is improving.

For county and unitary data and further information please see below. The Local Tobacco Control Profiles for England also provide local data alongside national comparators to support health improvement.

Page updated February 2025