The region is top for tobacco control with all services being rated either "excellent" or "good", watchdog the Healthcare Commission found.

The report looked at how health workers across England reduce levels of smoking, including helping people quit, supporting smoke-free workplaces and public places, reducing sales of tobacco to underage children and educating young people.

Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (TPCT) and Easington PCT had "good" tobacco control services.


Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT and South Tyneside PCT were among the 68 per cent in the region that were "excellent".

Christine Jordan, tobacco control co-ordinator for Sunderland TPCT, said: "It is great news that the excellent progress we are making in Sunderland is being recognised by the Healthcare Commission.


"Encouraging people to quit the habit is only the start of the process. For that reason our smoking cessation teams focus not just on short-term motivation, but on longer-term support to help people stay smoke-free for life."

Services are set to be in even more demand ahead of the ban on smoking in public places, which begins on July 1 this year.

Dianne Woodall, tobacco control and alcohol lead for PCTs in County Durham, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that we've done very well. It shows the commitment of everyone involved in tobacco control work across County Durham.

"We know that 70 per cent of smokers want to quit and we're ensuring that we have good, accessible service for those who want to give up.
"If people get support and use something like the patches, they're up to four times more successful in quitting.

"The most important message is, don't do it alone, if you want help, it's there."

Dr Stephen Singleton, medical director of NHS North East and regional director of public health, said staff involved in providing stop smoking services "deserve to be congratulated on the work they are doing to combat the harm caused by tobacco".

The Healthcare Commission report said tobacco control must remain a top priority for the Government and PCTs because smoking remains the single most preventable cause of death and ill health in England.


Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, the campaign for a Smoke Free North East, said: "It is really encouraging to see that PCTs in those areas in the North East region where there is the greatest concentration of smokers are performing exceptionally well."

For details of support in your area, contact the NHS Stop Smoking Service Help-line, tel: 0800 169 0 169.