NEW data released by the NHS shows Harlow is the district in the East of England with the highest number of smokers, with an overall average of 20.6%. However, the smoking rate for the East Hertfordshire region is below the England average of 14.4%, standing at 9.9%.

With 20.5%, Great Yarmouth has the second highest smoking rate both in the region overall. The third highest ranking district in the region is Peterborough (19.5%), followed by Fenland (19.4%).

The data, sourced from NHS Digital and collated by Vape Club, reveals a detailed look at where smoking remains an issue and how successful NHS services have been able to encourage smoking cessation.

In total, the East of England has the lowest prevalence of smoking in adults (18+), with Brentwood topping the clean air charts with only 6.8 per cent of residents admitting to smoking.

E-cigarettes are currently the most popular stop smoking aid in England, with an estimated 2.5 million users. Over half (51 per cent) have stopped smoking completely.

As for the 45 per cent who said they still smoke, half say that they are vaping in order to stop smoking.

Public Health England say e-cigarettes are 95 per cent less harmful than tobacco and using an e-cigarette with stop smoking service support can double your chances of quitting.

The question that remains is how the NHS can start to engage with vaping as a stop smoking aid.