SMOKING rates in East Lancashire are still some of the highest in the country.

New data released by the Office for National Statistics and Public Health England have revealed the top 10 local authorities in England where men and women smoke the most and least.

Two East Lancashire authorities have been named in the top 10 local authorities with the highest smoking rates for men and women.

The figures reveal 25.5 per cent of women in Burnley smoke, the second highest in the country and well above the county average.

Rossendale has been named as the local authority with the highest smoking rates for men in the country at 33.1 per cent.

Since last year Lancashire County Council has been working with Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and commissioned the creation of a Quit Squad to discourage people from smoking.

Quit Squad encourages people to stop smoking and support for pregnant women to quit. A smokefree initiative has also been set up to help protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke.

County Cllr Shaun Turner, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We know how difficult it is to stop smoking, but we’re here to help.

“If you want to stop, you should contact our Quit Squad service.

"Friendly staff will give you the support you need to quit and offer nicotine replacement therapy to help you beat the cravings.

“Current figures show that 16 per cent of Lancashire’s population smokes, which is just above the national average. Rates in the county are falling.

“However, we are aware of tobacco use hotspots and our targeted work with communities will help us address them.

“Our aim is to cut smoking rates in Lancashire to 12 per cent or less by 2022."

The data was analysed by bosses at E-cigarette retailer Vapourcore.com, who were keen to understand England’s smokers further and sought to investigate the differences in gender.

They discovered the likelihood of smoking is four times higher in England’s most deprived areas such as Burnley, than those deemed least deprived.

Charles Bloom, managing director of Vapourcore.com, said: “We found the top 10 local authorities in England for the highest male smoking rates, differ completely to the top 10 for the highest female smoking rates.

“This suggests it isn’t necessarily triggered by any one factor, such as employment or education, but choice.

“Perhaps more needs to be done in these areas to promote the benefits of giving up and to outline the help and advice that is available.”