No noticeable decline in number of Doncaster smokers since 2015

Figures show just under 20 per cent or 48,000 Doncaster adults smoke with numbers remaining at similar levels for the last few years.

This is despite public health teams investing in smoking cessation services and a drive to cut smokers to 10 per cent.

The rate of smoking in Doncaster is around five per cent higher than the England average.

Data seen by councillors show there hasn't been a noticable decline since 2015.

DMBC health bosses did have a target to reduce the number of smokers in the borough to 10 per cent by 2020. This has now been amended to 2030.

Figures also show that just under 16 per cent of mums smoke during pregnancy.

Bosses also detail the ‘enormous’ economic cost to Doncaster and say that smoking costs around £82 million each year impacting the NHS, social care, lost productivity and house fires.

It is estimated that on average, a smoker in Doncaster spends just over £2,000 per year on cigarettes.

A new plan is being devised to cut smoking in the borough and to stop around 1,300 people - many children - from taking up the habit.

Rolled out in five stages, the council plan a mass information campaign to change attitude by encouraging people not to smoke in hospital grounds, school gates, outdoor eating areas, parks, pedestrianised areas of the town centre, bus stops and in Doncaster markets including a ban on the sale of tobacco products.

Dr Rupert Suckling, director of public health at DMBC, said: “Tobacco is still the leading cause of preventable ill health and premature deaths in the borough.

“Despite high quality specialised smoking cessation services in Doncaster, as many people are starting to smoke each year as quit resulting in no overall reduction in smoking numbers.

“Our call to action focuses on preventing children and young people from starting smoking, by creating an environment in Doncaster where it is an accepted social norm to be smoke-free.”