U.K.’s smoking prevalence going down

The U.K.’s tobacco smoking prevalence is expected to drop below 20 percent this year—the first time it has been that low for 100 years, according to numerous local reports.

The figure is based on the Smoking Toolkit Study, which is being conducted by University College, London.

Professor Robert West, who is the co-head of the study, was quoted in a story in the Guernsey Press as saying that 20 percent was a psychologically significant marker.

“2013 is going to be, almost without doubt, the first year for a hundred years where we’re solidly below 20 percent smoking prevalence in England,” he said. “It’s going to be a big year. We are making progress. It’s slow, and we’d like it to be quicker, but things are going in the right direction.”

The study is apparently not complete, but the preliminary information is being used by some people to support the case for the introduction of standardized tobacco packaging.

The argument seems to be that while progress is being made in reducing the prevalence of smoking, further progress is contingent on standardized packaging.