Increased rate of smokers in Newry, Mourne and Down

Smoking rates in Newry, Mourne and Down increased last year, new figures show.

Charity Action on Smoking and Health said the figures are a "wake up call" as rates across the country are not falling fast enough to meet the Government's target of 5% or less by 2030.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 13.7% of adults in Newry, Mourne and Down smoked in 2022 – up from 11.2% the year before.

It follows trends across Northern Ireland, where the national rate of smokers increased from 13.8% in 2021 to 14% last year. It was the only UK nation to record an increase.

Across the UK, smoking among adults fell to its lowest level of 12.9% last year – a drop on the 13.3% reported in 2021.

James Tucker, head of health analysis at the ONS, said the figure is "consistent with the continuing trend towards a decline in smoking prevalence over recent years".

However, Deborah Arnott, ASH chief executive, said: "Smoking rates are falling, but not nearly fast enough to deliver on the Government’s ambition of 5% or less by 2030. Financial stress and poor mental health are on the rise, which we know makes it harder for smokers to quit."

She added the Government must "step up" its support for smokers by investing in campaigns to motivate smokers to quit and discourage young people to start.

The data also revealed men in the UK were more likely to smoke, with 14.6% using cigarettes in 2022 compared to 11.2% of women.

Similarly, men in Newry, Mourne and Down were more likely to be smokers at 16.3% compared to 11% of women in the area last year.