A new study reveals a surge in efforts to quit smoking across UK cities, with Plymouth, Birmingham, and Liverpool topping the list for 2025. Conducted by nicotinepouches.net, the research ranks 78 towns and cities based on monthly Google searches related to quitting smoking, scaled against local populations to calculate searches per 100,000 people. The findings highlight a growing public health push to combat cigarette use, which remains the leading cause of preventable diseases in the UK, claiming nearly 80,000 lives annually.
Plymouth leads the way
Plymouth emerges as the UK city most eager to quit, with 307 monthly searches, equating to 114.88 per 100,000 people. Top search terms include “nicotine patch,” “nicotine gum,” and “best way to quit smoking.” With 13.8% of adults smoking (approximately 35,880 residents) Plymouth’s proactive stance signals strong community intent to tackle tobacco use.
Birmingham follows closely
Ranking second, Birmingham records 1,267 monthly searches, or 112.96 per 100,000 people. Popular searches mirror Plymouth’s, focusing on “nicotine gum” and “how to quit smoking.” According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 13.2% of Birmingham’s 1.15 million adults (around 152,000 people) are smokers, underscoring the city’s significant challenge.
Liverpool ranks third
Liverpool generates 563 searches monthly, or 111.04 per 100,000 people, with “nicotine gum” and “how to stop smoking” among top terms. With an estimated 51,200 smokers, Liverpool shows a gender disparity: 23.8% of men smoke compared to 10.4% of women, reflecting varied quitting motivations.
Other notable cities
Worcester, Leeds, and Newcastle upon Tyne follow, with 109.04, 100.85, and 100.60 searches per 100,000 people, respectively. Worcester’s 13,300 smokers, Leeds’ 109,000, and Newcastle’s 39,000 face unique challenges, with smoking prevalence in Newcastle (13%) slightly below the national average of 13.9%. Coventry, Bolton, Manchester, and Salford round out the top ten, each demonstrating robust interest in quitting aids like nicotine patches and gum.
Nottingham lags behind
At the bottom, Nottingham shows the least interest, with 101 monthly searches, or 33.91 per 100,000 people. Despite a high smoking prevalence of 18.6% from 2019-2023, the city’s low search volume suggests less urgency to quit, contrasting sharply with Plymouth’s efforts.
Top quitting aids searched
Nationally, “nicotine patch” leads with 7,636 monthly searches, followed by “nicotine gum” (4,500) and “how to quit smoking” (1,936). These trends reflect a preference for nicotine replacement therapies, which offer a safer way to manage cravings without the harmful chemicals in cigarettes, such as tar and carbon monoxide.
Miikka Saloseutu from nicotinepouches.net commented, “Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases in the UK. It is responsible for nearly 80,000 deaths each year. When cigarettes are smoked, they produce harmful chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide. These are the primary contributors to the health risks associated with smoking, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. While nicotine is addictive, it is not the primary cause of the most serious health problems associated with smoking. Nicotine pouches can be a helpful tool for people trying to quit smoking because they provide a controlled and safer way to manage nicotine cravings without the harmful effects of smoking traditional cigarettes.”
Broader context
The UK has seen a decline in smoking rates, from 26% in 2000 to under 13% in 2024, driven by stop-smoking services and public health campaigns. The NHS reports that local authorities play a key role, offering free expert advice and support. The upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to further reduce smoking rates, addressing inequalities highlighted by higher consumption in deprived areas.