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A man smokes a cigarette. A new study has predicted that Reading and Wokingham will end the habit. Jonathan Brady / PA Wire
According to a new study, residents of Wokingham and Reading may soon be living in smoke-free cities.
Wokingham would have been the first city in the UK not to smoke in the next eight years.
A research organization predicted that Wokingham will be free of cigarette smokers by 2026.
And Reading, Berkshire will not be so far behind, with the big city that should be released from cigarettes by 2027.
In Wokingham, only 8.8% of the population smoke, unlike the more disadvantaged areas such as Kingston upon Hull, Blackpool and North Lincolnshire – where an average of 22.1% of people smoke in each region.
The research was undertaken by Frontier Economics on behalf of Philip Morris International, a US tobacco company.
The study also highlighted a series of measures to reduce smoking rates, such as better access to NHS tobacco control services and "better alternatives" such as heated tobacco. , electronic cigarettes and vaping.
See where all the vape shops in Reading are:
The Last Smoke website includes other proposals that could speed up the end of cigarette consumption in the country.
This includes more independent research on smoking alternatives, targeted school-based campaigns and social media to stop smoking and fight the illicit cigarette trade by taking tougher action against criminal gangs.
At the national level, Bristol should be the first city and the second authority in the country to quit.
After that, Reading is expected to get rid of all cigarettes in 2027, with the East Riding of Yorkshire, Blackburn with Darwen and Portsmouth.
Top 10 areas of the board with the latest 'latest smoke' dates
Scroll down to see the full results
| Local Authority | Prevalence rate 2017 | Total change in% (2011-17) | Date of the last smoke |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Bristol | 11.14% | -9.95% | 2024 |
| Wokingham | 8.13% | -5.68% | 2026 |
| York | 9.01% | -6.49% | 2026 |
| East Riding of Yorkshire | 10.81% | -6.80% | 2027 |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 16.75% | -10.36% | 2027 |
| Portsmouth | 15.17% | -9.50% | 2027 |
| Reading | 13.59% | -8.40% | 2027 |
| Buckinghamshire | 9.17% | -5.30% | 2028 |
| Bournemouth | 13.85% | -7.95% | 2028 |
| Milton Keynes | 13.26% | -7.27% | 2028 |
Mark MacGregor, director of commercial affairs in the United Kingdom, Philip Morris International, said: "Our company is committed to not smoking as quickly as possible and to stop selling cigarettes.
"What this research reveals is the huge variations in the decline of smoking in different parts of the country.
"We want to play our part by working with local businesses, retailers and councils in areas where smoking rates are highest.
"It will not be easy to stop smokers in these areas.
"One of the keys to success will be to make sure that they understand that there are more options than ever before that can help them quit smoking permanently."
Stop smoking in Berkshire
Help and support for quitting smoking is available from Smokefreelife Berkshire.
For free support to quit smoking, contact a smoking cessation counselor at 0800 622 6360
or QUIT text to 66777.
To learn more about what Smokefreelife Berkshire can offer, including details of your local clinics, visit smokefreelifeberkshire.co.uk.
Or download the new free app, search for "Quit With Bella" on Facebook or Twitter and follow the link to download from Google Play, iOS or Alexa.
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