BRADFORD ranks in the top 10 for highest male smoking rates, figures have revealed.

Latest statistics show that 15.5 per cent of adults in England smoke and further analysis has revealed gender differences when it comes to the country’s smoking habits.

The local authority with the highest rate of male smokers is Rossendale, Lancashire, at 33.1 per cent and Bradford is listed in ninth place at 25.9 per cent.

West Dorset, Babergh, Epsom and Ewell, Cotswold and Rushcliffe were found among the authorities where male smoking rates were the lowest.

Hastings, East Sussex, takes the top spot for female smoking rates at 27.8 per cent, with South Ribble, Watford, Richmondshire, Eastleigh and Brentwood boasting the lowest rates.

Charles Bloom, managing director of e-cigarette retailer Vapourcore, which carried out the analysis, said: “It is common knowledge that men hold a slightly higher smoking rate than women; in the UK, 17.7 per cent of men are current smokers in comparison to 14.1 per cent of women.

“However, these levels are beginning to peter out. As less and less people - men and women - decide against lighting up, the gender gap begins to shift and draw closer.

“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.”

In Bradford, people of any age can contact the Bradford District Stop Smoking Service for information and support.

This offers a personal service which helps people to quit using the method right for them and is also an e-cigarette friendly service.

Earlier this year, health officials argued that e-cigarettes should be available on the NHS.

Public Health England (PHE) said patients should be allowed to vape in private rooms and purchase e-cigarette devices in hospital shops to help stop them smoking regular cigarettes. PHE is also calling for the government to license e-cigarettes as medical quitting aids so that GPs can prescribe the devices to patients trying to stop smoking.