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Statistics on smoking: England, 1976 to 1996

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

This statistical bulletin presents information from a variety of sources on smoking.

Summary

  • In 1996, 28% of adults aged 16 and over smoked cigarettes in England; 28% of men and 27% of women.
  • The prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults has dropped substantially since 1976, although in recent years the rate of decline has slowed, and may, indeed, have reversed.
  • The prevalence of cigarette smoking is higher for people in manual than non-manual socio-economic groups (34% compared with 22% in 1996).
  • In 1996, 13% of children aged 11-15 regularly smoked cigarettes; 11% of boys and 15% of girls.
  • Over 120,000 deaths were caused by smoking in the UK in 1995; that is, one in five of all deaths.
  • In 1996, two thirds of smokers in Great Britain (70% of men and 67% of women) wanted to give up smoking.
  • In 1996, three fifths of respondents in Great Britain (61%) thought that tobacco advertising should not be allowed at all.

Contents

  • Introduction
  • Prevalence of adult smoking
  • Prevalence of children smoking
  • Consumption of cigarettes
  • Smoking related behaviour and attitudes
  • Health
  • Smoking during pregnancy
  • Economics
  • Acknowledgements
  • Editorial notes
  • Annex A: Bibliography
  • Annex B: Technical notes
  • Annex C: Reference tables

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