Smoking Rates Continue Decline in United Kingdom

The Office for National Statistics found that between 2012 and 2013, the proportion of adults who smoked fell 1.1%.

October 09, 2014

LONDON – Smoking in the United Kingdom has continued its decline, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics, Cancer Research UK reports. Between 2012 and 2013, the proportion of adults who smoked decreased 1.1% to reach 18.7%.

“Successive government interventions such as tax rises, the ban on tobacco advertising and smoke-free workplaces have stopped people from starting and encouraged more smokers to quit,” said George Butterworth, tobacco policy manager for Cancer Research UK.

Of the four nations that are part of the United Kingdom (Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Britain), only England saw a significant drop in smokers. Scotland stayed on top with the largest proportion of adult smokers (21.1%).

Meanwhile, Ireland mulls over having its own plain packaging law for tobacco products, although the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently sent a letter to the government expressing concerns about such a move. In April, the United Kingdom announced it will go forward with its own plain packaging regulations.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement