Sharp fall in Scots smoking as just 1 in 6 light up
THe number of Scots smokers has plummeted, new figures show.
In 2019, only 15.4 per cent of adults in Scotland – around one in six – used tobacco products, down from 23.4 per cent in 2011.
Anti-smoking campaigners welcomed the data, published yesterday by the Office for National Statistics.
For many years Scotland had the highest number of smokers in the UK, but Northern Ireland took over in 2016. Last year Wales also had more smokers, at 15.5 per cent, while Northern Ireland had 15.6 per cent. england’s figure was 13.9 per cent.
The Scottish Government wants the nation to be ‘smoke free’ – with a prevalence in the adult population of 5 per cent or lower – by 2034.
Its aim is to create a generation of non-smokers, while recognising a small minority will not quit.
Sheila Duffy, chief executive at ASH Scotland, said: ‘If we see this decline over a few years, we will be even more delighted.
‘The Scottish Government and the NHS have worked hard to support those who want to break their smoking habit. However, the job is not yet done and support for cessation services must continue in order for Scotland to achieve its goal of being smoke-free by 2034.’
Smoking remains the single largest cause of avoidable harm and death in Scotland, accounting for one in five of all deaths. Half of all long-term smokers will die from smoking-related causes and smokers live an average of ten years less.
The ONS data allows Scotland to compare its figures with other UK countries, but the Scottish Government uses the Scottish Health Survey for comparing progress and for its own targets.
The 2018 Scottish Health Survey, published in September 2019, found that 19 per cent of adults in Scotland smoke – a drop of 6 per cent since 2012. According to Scottish Government figures, around one third of Scots smoked in 1999.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘These statistics reveal that smoking rates are falling faster in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Positive changes are being made, but we are not complacent and remain committed to creating a tobacco-free generation by 2034.’
Measures taken – including a smoking ban in public places and raising the age for tobacco sales from 16 to 18 – are said to be behind a cut in heart attacks, childhood asthma and premature births.