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19/03/2004
Campaign lauded for fall in number of smokers
The latest figures revealing a continuing fall in the number of English smokers have been welcomed as evidence that the message in government anti-smoking campaigns is getting across.
The General Household Survey statistics showed that smoking among those aged 16 and over has dropped from 28% when 'Smoking Kills', the Government's White Paper was published in 1998, to 26% in 2002.
This provides evidence that the Government is on track to meet the target of 24% in 2010, having met the 2005 milestone early. Smoking prevalence among manual groups decreased from 33% in 1998 to 31% in 2002.
Welcoming the new figures, Melanie Johnson, Minister for Public Health, said: "I am delighted by these results. These figures show that the Government's programme to reduce the numbers of adults who smoke is working. They also show that smoking rates are falling in manual groups, which is crucial in tackling health inequalities.
"We have provided Stop Smoking Services on the NHS which give support to smokers wanting to quit as well as free stop smoking therapies, to help them give up smoking for good. The success of these services is one of the reasons why we are on track to reduce the number of smokers even further by 2010.
"This drop is also being helped by people giving up as a result of the media campaigns that the Department of Health has run since 1998. These have helped to link in people's minds the devastating effects that smoking has on their health and has provided added motivation that they need to quit smoking."
Today's figures are out at the same time as new regulations are laid before Parliament under the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 to restrict the advertising of cigarettes and tobacco where they are sold.
These Point of Sale Regulations are an important step in taking forward the 2002 tobacco advertising ban and will come in to force at the end of the year.
The regulations will strictly limit the amount of advertising allowed where cigarettes are sold in shops. The large and brightly coloured adverts on shelving where cigarettes are placed are often found close to sweets and magazines in newsagents which appeal to children. These new measures will further help to protect young people from the dangers of smoking and discourage the purchase of tobacco.
(SP)
The General Household Survey statistics showed that smoking among those aged 16 and over has dropped from 28% when 'Smoking Kills', the Government's White Paper was published in 1998, to 26% in 2002.
This provides evidence that the Government is on track to meet the target of 24% in 2010, having met the 2005 milestone early. Smoking prevalence among manual groups decreased from 33% in 1998 to 31% in 2002.
Welcoming the new figures, Melanie Johnson, Minister for Public Health, said: "I am delighted by these results. These figures show that the Government's programme to reduce the numbers of adults who smoke is working. They also show that smoking rates are falling in manual groups, which is crucial in tackling health inequalities.
"We have provided Stop Smoking Services on the NHS which give support to smokers wanting to quit as well as free stop smoking therapies, to help them give up smoking for good. The success of these services is one of the reasons why we are on track to reduce the number of smokers even further by 2010.
"This drop is also being helped by people giving up as a result of the media campaigns that the Department of Health has run since 1998. These have helped to link in people's minds the devastating effects that smoking has on their health and has provided added motivation that they need to quit smoking."
Today's figures are out at the same time as new regulations are laid before Parliament under the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 to restrict the advertising of cigarettes and tobacco where they are sold.
These Point of Sale Regulations are an important step in taking forward the 2002 tobacco advertising ban and will come in to force at the end of the year.
The regulations will strictly limit the amount of advertising allowed where cigarettes are sold in shops. The large and brightly coloured adverts on shelving where cigarettes are placed are often found close to sweets and magazines in newsagents which appeal to children. These new measures will further help to protect young people from the dangers of smoking and discourage the purchase of tobacco.
(SP)
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22 June 2004
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
08 March 2007
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
31 May 2004
Ireland's smoking ban a 'success' says report
Ireland's Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has reported that 97% of premises are complying with legislation calling for a smoking ban in the workplace. The research has also shown that levels of visits to pubs and restaurants remain constant with one-in-five smokers choosing not to smoke at all when socialising.
Ireland's smoking ban a 'success' says report
Ireland's Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has reported that 97% of premises are complying with legislation calling for a smoking ban in the workplace. The research has also shown that levels of visits to pubs and restaurants remain constant with one-in-five smokers choosing not to smoke at all when socialising.
01 February 2010
Smokers 'Halved' By 2020
An ambitious new strategy will halve the number of smokers, from 21 to 10% of the population by 2020, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham announced today. The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade – just last year 337,000 people stopped smoking thanks to free support from the NHS.
Smokers 'Halved' By 2020
An ambitious new strategy will halve the number of smokers, from 21 to 10% of the population by 2020, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham announced today. The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade – just last year 337,000 people stopped smoking thanks to free support from the NHS.
22 September 2003
TV ads warn of health risks from 'light' cigarettes
A series of advertisements, designed to expose how smokers may have been misled by suggestions that so-called 'low-tar' or 'light' and 'mild' cigarettes are less dangerous than regular cigarettes, are set to hit television screens tomorrow.
TV ads warn of health risks from 'light' cigarettes
A series of advertisements, designed to expose how smokers may have been misled by suggestions that so-called 'low-tar' or 'light' and 'mild' cigarettes are less dangerous than regular cigarettes, are set to hit television screens tomorrow.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
