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| Smoking rates in England fall to lowest on record | Smoking rates in England fall to lowest on record |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Smoking rates in England have fallen to the lowest on record, Public Health England (PHE) has said. | Smoking rates in England have fallen to the lowest on record, Public Health England (PHE) has said. |
| In 2015, 16.9% of adults described themselves as smokers, compared with 19.3% in 2012. | In 2015, 16.9% of adults described themselves as smokers, compared with 19.3% in 2012. |
| Experts say the decrease may be partly thanks to the availability of e-cigarettes. | Experts say the decrease may be partly thanks to the availability of e-cigarettes. |
| More than a million people said they vaped as they tried to quit and 700,000 used a licensed nicotine replacement product such as patches or gum. | More than a million people said they vaped as they tried to quit and 700,000 used a licensed nicotine replacement product such as patches or gum. |
| Out of the 2.5 million smokers who tried to kick the habit, a fifth were successful. | Out of the 2.5 million smokers who tried to kick the habit, a fifth were successful. |
| According to Public Health England, this is the highest recorded successful quitting rate to date - six years ago the success rate was around one in seven. | According to Public Health England, this is the highest recorded successful quitting rate to date - six years ago the success rate was around one in seven. |
| Source: Annual Population Survey | Source: Annual Population Survey |
| The biggest decreases in smoking over the last four years were seen in the South West (18.7% to 15.5%), the North East (22% to 18.7%) and Yorkshire & Humber (21.9% to 18.6%). | The biggest decreases in smoking over the last four years were seen in the South West (18.7% to 15.5%), the North East (22% to 18.7%) and Yorkshire & Humber (21.9% to 18.6%). |
| At the same time, prescriptions for smoking cessation aids, such as patches and gum have gone down, while sales of e-cigarettes have gone up. | At the same time, prescriptions for smoking cessation aids, such as patches and gum have gone down, while sales of e-cigarettes have gone up. |
| Despite the fall, there are wide variations across the country and a north-south divide. | Despite the fall, there are wide variations across the country and a north-south divide. |
| Kingston-upon-Hull has the highest rate of smoking with almost 27 in every 100 adults. And Wokingham has the lowest, with fewer than one in 10. | Kingston-upon-Hull has the highest rate of smoking with almost 27 in every 100 adults. And Wokingham has the lowest, with fewer than one in 10. |
| Overall, the smoking rate among women was 14.9%, while in men it was 19.1%. | |
| In 2014/15, the number of prescription items dispensed in England to help people stop smoking was 1.3 million, compared to two million 10 years ago. | In 2014/15, the number of prescription items dispensed in England to help people stop smoking was 1.3 million, compared to two million 10 years ago. |
| Health professionals say the most effective way to quit smoking remains through prescription medication and professional support from free local NHS stop smoking services. | Health professionals say the most effective way to quit smoking remains through prescription medication and professional support from free local NHS stop smoking services. |
| Rosanna O'Connor, director of drugs, alcohol, tobacco at Public Health England, said: "The reduction in smoking rates isn't the result of a single magic bullet but concerted policies over decades." | Rosanna O'Connor, director of drugs, alcohol, tobacco at Public Health England, said: "The reduction in smoking rates isn't the result of a single magic bullet but concerted policies over decades." |
| Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Gina Radford said: "The best thing a smoker can do for their health is to stop smoking. There is more help and support available now than ever before." | Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Gina Radford said: "The best thing a smoker can do for their health is to stop smoking. There is more help and support available now than ever before." |
| PHE released the figures ahead of its Stoptober campaign, which aims to encourage smokers to quit smoking during October. | PHE released the figures ahead of its Stoptober campaign, which aims to encourage smokers to quit smoking during October. |
| According to experts, taking a complete break from cigarettes for at least 28 days greatly increases the odds of being able to kick the smoking habit for life. | According to experts, taking a complete break from cigarettes for at least 28 days greatly increases the odds of being able to kick the smoking habit for life. |
| Latest data (for 2014) shows that 20% of adults in Scotland are current smokers. In Wales the figure is 19% and in Northern Ireland it is 18%. |