Fewer people smoke in St Ives than in other towns in Huntingdonshire, new figures reveal.

The Cambridgeshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has published details of the number of smokers aged 15 and over at each GP surgery in the county, with Kimbolton, 10.8 per cent, and Papworth, 12.1 per cent, coming in the top five for fewest smokers.

St Ives was the town where fewest smoked, with 19.2 per cent – below the average in Cambridgeshire of 22 per cent. Huntingdon was higher than the average and highest town in Huntingdonshire with an average of 25.9 per cent – about one in four people.

St Neots at 22.6 per cent was slightly over the average, however Ramsey was slightly under.

The surgery with the most smokers was Acorn Surgery, Huntingdon, with 31.1 per cent of patients smoking. St Neots Health Centre was next highest with 31 per cent.

The CCG report showed in the more deprived areas smoking was more prevalent. The worst areas in Cambridgeshire were Peterborough and Wisbech, where almost one in three people smoke. Residents registered at Newnham Walk, in Cambridge, had the fewest smokers at one in 20.

Dr Amrit Takhar, the CCG’s clinical lead for coronary heart disease, said: “All of the data has been plotted onto a series of maps to allow us to see where the practices with significantly high prevalence rates are located across the CCG area and to help with service planning for targeting smoking cessation activities.

“Smoking is the single most important changeable risk factor in many diseases and a key driver of coronary heart disease (CHD).

“One in six deaths from heart disease is attributed to smoking, not to mention the damage caused to your lungs, brain and countless other parts of the body.

“Reducing inequalities in CHD has been identified as a priority for the CCG, so GPs are urging residents of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to be proud quitters and kick smoking for good.”

INFORMATION: CAMQUIT offers advice, information and support to people who are thinking of stopping smoking. Contact CAMQUIT on 0800 018 4304 or text KICKBUTT to 80010 or visit www.camquit.nhs.uk.

Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly will vote against a potential law to standardise cigarette packaging. Later this week, MPs are due to vote on new regulations to ban attractive aspects of cigarette packets and replace them with uniform packaging carrying health and anti-smoking messages.

It is hoped the regulations will be passed to the House of Lords, and will come into force next year.