This page covers local intelligence releases of note in October 2026 for South Tyneside. You can view all public health intelligence updates on our Intelligence page.

This month the main updates in the supplied Fingertips extracts relate to:

• Smoking profile
• Child and maternal health indicators

At a glance ·         Adult smoking prevalence was 10.7% in 2025. This was statistically similar to the North East and England. ·         Smoking-attributable mortality was 283.0 per 100,000 people aged 35 and over in 2022–24. This was worse than both the North East and England. ·         Stop smoking services recorded 53.5% of people setting a quit date as successful quitters in 2025/26. This was similar to regional and national figures. ·         Premature births and low birth weight among term babies were statistically similar to the North East and England.

Smoking profile

The updated smoking indicators describe smoking prevalence, smoking-related illness and deaths, and use and outcomes of stop smoking services. View the Fingertips tobacco control profile.

Smoking prevalence in adults

In 2025, 10.7% of adults aged 18 and over in South Tyneside were estimated to be current smokers. The figure was 9.7% in the North East and 9.5% in England. The differences were not statistically significant, so South Tyneside was classed as similar to both comparison areas.

Using the pooled data from 2023–25, the smoking prevalence in South Tyneside was 12.5%, compared with 10.1% in the North East and 10.3% in England. For this pooled measure, South Tyneside was statistically worse than both comparison areas.

Smoking in groups with higher health risks

• Smoking prevalence among adults in routine and manual occupations was 20.3% in 2023–25. This was statistically similar to the North East (17.2%) and England (17.9%).
• Among adults with a long-term mental health condition, smoking prevalence was 23.4% in 2024/25. This was statistically similar to the North East (23.3%) and England (24.0%).
• Among adults entering alcohol treatment, smoking prevalence was 41.8% in 2024/25.
• This was statistically worse than the North East (30.1%) and England (32.7%).

Smoking-related mortality and hospital use

Smoking-attributable mortality measures deaths caused by diseases where smoking is a contributing factor. In 2022–24, the South Tyneside rate was 283.0 per 100,000 people aged 35 and over. This was higher than the North East rate of 230.6 and the England rate of 180.7, and was statistically worse than both.

• Smoking-attributable deaths from cancer was 124.8 per 100,000 in South Tyneside, compared with 100.2 in the North East and 77.0 in England. South Tyneside was worse than both.
• Smoking-attributable deaths from heart disease was 34.5 per 100,000, compared with 31.1 in the North East and 26.9 in England. South Tyneside was worse than England and similar to the North East.
• Smoking-attributable deaths from stroke was 11.3 per 100,000, compared with 7.9 in the North East and 7.0 in England. South Tyneside was worse than England and similar to the North East.
• Smoking-attributable hospital admissions was 2,160.0 per 100,000 people aged 35 and over in 2022/23, compared with 1,816.7 in the North East and 1,241.9 in England. South Tyneside was worse than both.

Why this matters: The prevalence estimate is close to the regional and national averages, but the burden of smoking-related disease and death remains substantially higher. This may reflect past smoking patterns, accumulated exposure and wider health inequalities. The figures do not show the cause of the difference on their own.

Stop smoking services

• 4% of the estimated local smoking population was referred to stop smoking services in 2025/26. This was similar to England (8.2%) and worse than the North East (11.0%).
• 4% of the local smoking population set a quit date. This was better than England (5.3%) and similar to the North East (7.9%).
• 5% of the local smoking population successfully quit. This was better than England (2.8%) and similar to the North East (4.2%).
• Among people who set a quit date, 53.5% successfully quit. This was similar to the North East (53.3%) and England (53.1%).
• The reported cost per quitter was £508, compared with £732 in the North East and £763 in England.

Interpretation: Local service outcomes compare favorably with England. Referral coverage remains below the North East figure, suggesting that reaching the smoking population may be an area for further review.

Smoking around pregnancy

• Smoking in early pregnancy was 17.4% in 2023/24, compared with 16.4% in the North East and 13.6% in England. South Tyneside was worse than England and similar to the North East.
• Smoking at the time of delivery was 8.6% in 2024/25, compared with 7.9% in the North East and 6.1% in England. South Tyneside was worse than England and similar to the North East. The recent trend was decreasing and getting better.

 

Why this matters: Smoking during pregnancy is a major public health priority because it increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight and complications for the baby. It can also contribute to poorer health in infancy and childhood. Supporting pregnant women to stop smoking therefore offers immediate benefits for both mother and baby, helps give children a healthier start in life and can reduce health inequalities, as smoking in pregnancy is more common in disadvantaged communities.

Further information can be found at:

• NHS — Stop smoking in pregnancy
• NHS England — National smoke-free pregnancy incentive scheme

 

 

 

Child and maternal health profile

The updated child and maternal health indicators describe birth outcomes and childhood respiratory admissions. View the Fingertips child and maternal health profile.

Premature births

For 2022–24, the premature birth rate in South Tyneside was 77.9 per 1,000 births. The North East rate was 77.5 and the England rate was 79.6. South Tyneside was statistically similar to both comparison areas.

Low birth weight among term babies

In 2025, 3.7% of term babies in South Tyneside had a low birth weight. The figure was 2.7% in the North East and 2.9% in England. The local result was statistically similar to both comparison areas, and there was no significant recent change.

Hospital admissions for asthma in children and young people

In 2024/25, the admission rate for asthma among people aged under 19 was 139.9 per 100,000 in South Tyneside. This was similar to England (138.8) and the North East (165.3). Fingertips classified the recent local trend as increasing and getting worse.

Why this matters: The latest birth outcome measures do not show a statistically clear difference from the comparison areas. The asthma trend is a signal to monitor, even though the latest rate remains statistically similar to the North East and England.

How to use this update

These figures are a starting point. They do not explain why a result happened. They should be considered alongside local service information, trends over longer periods, inequalities within South Tyneside and the views of residents.

More information can be found accessing the individual profiles linked above or visiting Fingertips | Department of Health and Social Care

Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities Fingertips profile extracts supplied for this update. Data periods vary by indicator. Accessed for the October 2026 intelligence update.