One in eight Bedford smokers are considering packing in habit for 2022

Pledging lifestyle improvements and kicking bad habits is a firm favourite for many at the start of the year – and smokers are no exception.

January is a popular time for smokers to consider quitting – as figures show one in eight people in Bedford may be considering.

Public Health England data shows 13.3 per cent of the area's adults were smoking in 2020 – above the national average of 12.1 per cent.

The smokers include 10.3 per cent of women in the area and 16.8 per cent of men.

And when it comes to quitting, more men than women reported to have been able to kick the habit – 20.9 per cent of adult female smokers and 29 per cent of males

The Government has launched a new campaign to encourage people to stop smoking in 2022, as new research shows teens whose parents smoked are far more likely to pick up the habit.

Analysis by The Better Health Smoke Free shows 4.9 per cent of young teenagers whose caregivers smoke also smoke regularly, versus 1.2 per cent of those whose caregivers do not.

Professor Nick Hopkinson of Imperial College London said: “Our research findings are clear – adult smoking has a tangible impact on children.

“Children whose caregivers smoke are four times as likely to take up smoking themselves.

“The most effective way to help prevent this would be for adults to quit smoking – clearly not only does this have enormous benefits for them but it will also benefit their children both now and in later life.”

Health minister Maggie Throup said she hoped the research would give parents extra motivation to quit smoking.

She said: “We know that many people make a quit attempt in January, and while there are so many good reasons to stop smoking for yourself, we hope that this new campaign – by highlighting the inter-generational smoking link with parents influencing their children – will be the added motivation many need to ditch the cigarettes for good this year.

“With so much help and support available for parents, carers and anyone looking to quit, you won’t be alone in your new year’s resolution.”

The Better Health campaign gives access to free quitting support and tools, including help from local Stop Smoking Services, the NHS Quit Smoking app, Facebook messenger bot, Stoptober Facebook online communities, daily emails and SMS, and an online Personal Quit Plan.