Trying to get people to quit smoking has cost the council more than £100,000 in the past year, but rates of success remain well below the national average.

In the 12 months from April 2017 to March this year, 436 people in Merton signed up with the NHS Stop Smoking Service and set themselves a date to quit.

At follow up meetings four weeks later, 154 people said they had given up, according to data from NHS England.

That accounts for 35 per cent, below the average rate for England of 51 per cent during the period.

Merton’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Tobin Byers, said they were targeting those most at risk.

“Merton has one of the lowest prevalence rates of smokers in London at 11.5 per cent and has seen a decline since 2011,” he said.

“We have chosen to invest our resources by supporting the most vulnerable on their journey to live a smoke free life.

“This targeted approach means that we can prioritise those who would benefit the most from the intensive specialist support service, including women smoking while pregnant, young people, those with respiratory disease and mental health conditions.”

The figures also revealed that the total cost of the service in Merton was £136,360, which is equivalent to £885 for each person that quit.

“Being targeted in this way has allowed us to provide expert advice, tools and information about stop smoking aids including e-cigarettes to an additional 1,020 residents,” Mr Byers said.

“This long-term approach is aimed at reducing the burden of preventable illnesses related to smoking whilst allowing us to make substantial savings, which can be allocated to protecting vital services.

“We are committed to supporting residents in their quest to quit smoking and I would urge anyone needing help and support to visit the One You Merton website.”

Of the 141 Local Authorities that supplied data, the highest quit rate was 80 per cent in Croydon and the lowest was 24 per cent in Cumbria.