CHORLEY in Lancashire has seen the largest rise in smoker numbers in Britain over the last five years, research shows.
Analysis of government figures shows a six per cent decline in ciggie fans across the country since 2018.
AlamyChorley, Lancs, has seen a 125 per cent rise in smoking[/caption]
But Chorley has seen a rise of 125 per cent — from eight per cent of adults to 18 per cent now, according to the research by online vape retailer Go Smoke Free.
Nationwide, 13 per cent of adults smoke — equal to six million people — down from nearly 50 per cent in the 1970s.
With a population of around 42,000 folk – 37,000 of them adults – that works out at 2,960 smokers in 2018.
Figures for the past year, however, found that now 18% of the town’s adults smoke – a rise of 10%…taking the number of smokers to 6,660.
Colin Hopper, 39, of Chorley, said he gave up smoking 10 years ago – and now avoided smokers ‘like the plague’.
The delivery worker said: “I started smoking in my late teens, but gave up 10 years ago – and now I absolutely hate the smell.
“If I’m walking behind someone who is smoking I have to cross the road – I avoid them like the plague.”
Asked if he had noticed more smokers around, he said: “I’m definitely seeing more sitting outside the pubs puffing away – it used to be the odd two or three people, but I’ve noticed the groups are getting larger.”
Among the famous faces from Chorley, include rugby icon Bill Beaumont, and The League of Gentleman star, Steve Pemberton.
Top ten increases:
1 Chorley, 125 per cent
2 Clitheroe, Lancs, 114 per cent
3 Brentwood, Essex, 107 per cent
4 Wantage, Oxford, 88 per cent
5 Dover, Kent, 79 per cent
6 Warwick, 63 per cent
7 Gravesend, Kent, 59 per cent
8 Hastings, East Sussex, 52 per cent
9 Oxford, 46 per cent
10 Gloucester, 44 per cent
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