Still a cloud over smoking figures

Fewer light up but some areas buck the trend

The number of adults smoking in Ashford has dropped – but around 14.5% of the borough’s population are still smokers.

That 2015 figure is considerably down on the 2014 figure of 26.3% but still worryingly high.

Across Kent the number of smokers has also dropped but some areas have seen a surprising rise in the habit.

Figures published by Public Health England show fewer people are lighting up across the county, as smokers turn to e-cigarettes or stub out for good.

But in Medway, Dover, Dartford and Sevenoaks the number of smokers rose between 2014 and last year. In Dover alone, almost a third of all adults – 29.7% – enjoy a cigarette, which is a 9.2% increase from 2014.

Public health experts say high levels of smoking are usually associated with areas of deprivation. But affluent Sevenoaks bucks the trend, with the percentage of smokers more than doubling from 6.5% of the adult population in 2014 to 15.6% the following year.

Overall, the habit is declining, with 17% of Kent adults smoking in 2015 compared to more than a fifth in 2012.

Andrew Scott-Clark, director for public health at Kent County Council said: “The significant thing we know has affected the figures is the availability of electronic cigarettes. What we know is that smoking is correlated to deprivation and Kent has its fair share of communities that are doing less well than others and the rates of smoking in these communities are likely to be higher.”

For other places, including Ash- ford, there has been a noticeable decrease – from 2014 to 2015 the number of adult smokers almost halved from 26.3% to 14.5%.

A drop in adult smokers is also true for many other towns and districts, including Shepway, with a decrease from 24% to 15.7% in just a year. Mr ScottClark added: “There is a whole range of measures being legislated by central government which we absolutely support.”

These include the age of sales going up, plain packaging and smoke-free cars. In England over- all, 16.9% of all adults are smokers compared to 17% in Kent.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Smoking is on the rise in some areas, while ‘vaping’ with e-cigarettes, below, is helping to wean others away from tobacco