Leeds sees a drop in number of people who smoke
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Campaign group Action on Smoking and Health says smoking remains the leading cause of premature death in the UK, and that there is a long way to go before the country is truly smoke-free.
The Office for National Statistics estimates 15.3% of adults in Leeds smoked in 2019.
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Hide AdSmoking rates have fallen in the area from 2018, when 18.2% of those aged 18 and over smoked.
Throughout the UK, the proportion of smokers has fallen every year since 2011, reaching a record low of 14.1% in 2019.
Across England, the rate now stands at 13.9% – the lowest of all four countries in the UK.
But anti-smoking charity ASH said there are "enormous differences" across the country when it comes to smoking habits.
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Hide AdIn Corby, in the East Midlands, 27.5% of adults were smokers in 2019, compared to just 3.4% in Hart, in the South East.
"But that means there are 6.9 million smokers, and smoking remains the leading cause of premature death in the UK killing nearly 100,000 people a year, with 30 times as many living with serious smoking-related diseases.
"We’ve still got a long way to go before this country is truly smoke-free.”
The ONS estimates a further 23.7% of adults have quit smoking in Leeds, with the remaining 61.1% saying they had never done so.
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Hide AdMen were more likely to smoke than women – 17.8% of males were smokers, compared to 12.8% of females.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said England's smoking rate of 13.9% is one of the best in Europe, but is still short of the government's 2017 Tobacco control plan of 12% or less.
She added: "The UK is recognised internationally for its tough regulatory approach on tobacco control and reducing smoking harms.
“However, we are not complacent and our ambition is for England to become a smoke-free society by 2030.”
A message from the Editor:
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Hide AdLeeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382
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Thank you
Laura Collins, Editor