Partnership work sees smoking rates fall below 10%
By Louise Noon, Public Health Lead for Tobacco Control, Derby and Derbyshire
Smoking rates among adults in Derby and Derbyshire have fallen a further 1.6% in a year, dipping below 10% for the first time.
The fall from 10.9% in 2023 to 9.3% in 2024, as shown in the annually published figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, brings the area closer to the national ambition of reaching 5% or less by 2030.
It is significant milestone in reducing smoking rates, with the latest prevalence estimates for adults aged 18 and over—released in November—showing a marked improvement.
The continued fall in smoking prevalence reflects the dedication of partners working across the local tobacco control system.
It is the result of extensive partnership efforts, including:
- Trading Standards, whose work to reduce the availability of cheap and illegal tobacco products continues to remove barriers to quitting.
- Livewell and Live Life Better Derbyshire, who deliver effective, evidence‑based stop‑smoking support to residents in Derby and Derbyshire.
- Health, social care, community and voluntary sector partners, who are helping to promote key messages and increase awareness of the free stop‑smoking support available.
Together, these collaborative actions are helping more local residents quit successfully and protecting communities from the harms of tobacco.
Smoking in pregnancy rates are also improving. The latest NHS data on “Smoking at the Time of Delivery”—the percentage of women recorded as smokers when they give birth—also shows a meaningful decrease from 6.3% in Quarter 1 of 2024/25 to 5.5% in the most recent Quarter 2 of 2025/26.
This improvement means more babies are being born into healthier, smokefree environments, and more expectant parents are receiving the support they need to overcome nicotine addiction.
These outcomes have been made possible through strong partnership working between:
- Local maternity services
- Community midwifery teams
- Tobacco Dependency Treatment Advisers
- Wider health and care system partners
Looking ahead, Derby and Derbyshire remain committed to achieving a smokefree future.
Continued partnership working, targeted approaches, and accessible stop‑smoking services will be central in reaching the 2030 goal and ensuring that residents can live healthier, longer lives.