West Dunbartonshire: Area among top five places for smoking deaths

A study carried out by digital health service Now Patient found that the local authority is among the top five places across the country with the highest smoking-related deaths per 100,000 people.

It found that the smoking mortality rate was 404 residents per 100,000.

Four of the top five places were located in Scotland with West Dunbartonshire in fifth spot behind Glasgow City, Dundee City and North Lanarkshire.

The research comes following No Smoking Day (Image: Now Patient)

Nearby East Renfrewshire has the fewest smoking-related deaths in Scotland and 127th lowest in the UK, with the data listing 200 deaths per 100,000.

The figures come on the back of national No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 8, and health charity ASH Scotland is urging residents to consider giving up the fatal habit.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of the charity, said: “Tobacco is a major cause of inequalities, and it is more important than ever that people in Glasgow facing everyday stresses during the cost-of-living crisis are empowered to access expert smoking cessation support that is freely available from the NHS.

“Quit Your Way Scotland, local stop smoking services and community pharmacies provide free support which can help you to develop a personalised plan and, on No Smoking Day, we are encouraging people across Glasgow and Clyde to begin taking vital steps towards a much healthier future by stopping smoking for good.”

Four of the top five locations for smoking related deaths were in Scotland (Image: Now Patient)