GB smoking in long-term decline

In 2014, 19 percent of adults (16 years of age or older) in Great Britain smoked, down from a peak of 46 percent in 1974, but in line with the rate measured in 2013, according to the results of the recently-published Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) run by the Office for National Statistics.

The average consumption among smokers was 11.4 cigarettes a day in 2014, down from 16.8 cigarettes a day in 1976.

Twenty percent of men smoked in 2014, down from 51 percent in 1974, while 17 percent of women smoked, down from 41 percent in 1974.

The smoking rate among women during 2014 was said to be slightly increased on that of the previous year.

People aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to smoke in 2014, but they smoked the lowest number of cigarettes a day: 9.6. Smokers aged 50 to 59 consumed the most: 13.4 cigarettes a day.

Meanwhile, in 2015, Great Britain had an estimated 2.2 million electronic cigarette users; four percent of the population.

Seventy four percent of former electronic cigarette users are said to smoke cigarettes and 53 percent of electronic cigarette users vape as an aid to quit smoking.

And in a bullet point that seems to prove the need for the return of the proof reader, the survey said that ’76 percent of e-cigarettes users think exposure to non-users has no health impact’.