ALEX EMERY reports on startling statistics which reveal that Swindon smokers have more trouble giving up than other people in the UK

Smokers in Swindon are less likely to kick the habit than in most other places in the country.

Government figures show the town has one of the worst records in England for people giving up cigarettes.

In a league table for those who managed to quit smoking after pledging to stop, Swindon came 10th from bottom out of more than 300 areas.

A report by the Department of Health named and shamed the town by uncovering its poor performance. Just 37 per cent of smokers who promised to give up their expensive habit managed to do so.

The two-month survey period this year showed only nine other Primary Care Trusts recorded a lower level than Swindon, and we fell far behind the national average of 52 per cent of people successfully quitting.

In Swindon, 123 were successful, out of a total of 330 who received NHS help after claiming they were determined to quit.

Many of them received Nicotine Replacement Therapy on the health service, as part of a multi-million pound drive to get the nation off cigarettes.

But former smokers Paul and Marilyn Hudgell, of Cricklade Road, say it should be no harder to quit in Swindon than in other areas.

The couple, who stubbed out the habit more than a year ago, recently enjoyed a holiday in Majorca using some of the £2,500 they had saved in their smoke-free year.

Paul, 45, a director of Greenmeadow Garages in Swindon said: "It seems strange there should be a definite reason why it's harder to quit in Swindon.

"People smoke when they are stressed and the living is quite fast paced here, so maybe that's why.

"There is also a good social life in Swindon and people tend to smoke more when they are out."

Swindon's Mayor Derek Benfield is another reformed smoker and says he now finds the habit repulsive.

After smoking for more than four decades he packed it in 11 years ago.

"It was the day my granddaughter was born," he said. "My wife had gone into the hospital to visit and I waited outside to have a cigarette and I just thought 'this is ridiculous'.

"Now I go to the non-smoking part of restaurants and pity the people who have to smoke in between courses."

Toni Smith, Swindon Primary Care Trust's acting public health programme manager, said she hopes a Pledge-to-Quit campaign due to be launched next month will increase people's chances of quitting forever.

She said: "We want people to really think about giving up and make 2004 their year to become smoke free. We are hoping by combining the pledge with the help and support we can give them, they can really beat the habit."

The project could help people like transport manager, Vince Payne, who is hoping to kick the habit after suffering a minor stroke.

Mr Payne, 63, explained that he had been a smoker from the age of 12. "At the time, people didn't think about the health problems with smoking.

"I have tried to give up cigarettes before, but obviously it didn't work. The best I have managed is about seven or eight weeks but there always seems to be something that sets you off again."

The latest figures come less than a week after Swindon was placed in the bottom half of a long-life league table, with men and women in the town expected to die years earlier than residents of rich London suburbs.

According to new statistics showing life expectancy at birth for the different sexes, Swindon women are ranked 258 out of 374 areas in England and Wales. They can look forward to a life of 80.2 years.

In posh Kensington and Chelsea, women have a life expectancy of more than 84 years.

Deborah Arnott, director of campaigning public health charity, Action on Smoking and Health said: "Smoking is the major cause of differences in life expectancy so higher smoking rates are likely to be the main reason why people in Swindon die earlier."

Health Secretary John Reid, himself a former heavy smoker, said the Government would continue to help people lead more health lifestyles.

He said: "I know from personal experience that giving up is difficult one of the hardest things I've ever done.

"I am pleased that the NHS offers practical assistance to help people quit."

Last month the Evening Advertiser learned that Swindon Council and Swindon Primary Care Trust is hoping to win Government funding for a scheme that could eventually see smoking banned in all work places, pubs, clubs, and restaurants in fact every enclosed public space.

Simon Clark, director of pro-smoking group Forest, said: "To stigmatise any town or city for its smoking rates is incredibly childish.

"Top marks to Swindon people for being so honest."

Nurse to give support in times of need

Swindon Primary Care Trust has appointed specialist nurse Karen Shirley in the new post of Tobacco Control Co-ordinator. Her job will be to support the smoking cessation service and work with local businesses and organisations to promote smoke free environments.

The action plan includes:

New publicity campaign to raise awareness

Pledge to Quit campaign to coincide with New Year

Increase in numbers of stop smoking courses and one to one sessions

Specialist advisor to help pregnant women and their families

Access to advisor to help support manual workers who want to stop smoking

Since the Swindon service began three years ago, more than 2,000 people have accessed the advice and support, and more than 1200 have stopped smoking.

Karen said: "The service is now being expanded to ensure that specialist advice is accessible and available to the whole community.

"We want people to know that they are not alone in their quest to become non-smokers.

"We know seven out of 10 smokers want to quit. Using our specialist services together with a nicotine replacement product (NRT) greatly increases their chance of stopping for good," said Karen.

Useful contacts

Quit line: 0800 00 22 00.

PCT: 01793 708761

stopsmoking@quit.org.uk

www.forestonline.org

www.ash.org.uk

www.swindonpct.nhs.uk