SMOKING rates in Redditch decreased last year, new figures show.
However, 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 13.6% of adults in Redditch smoked in 2022 – down from 17.1% the year before.
It follows trends across England, where the national rate of smokers reached 12.7%, the lowest level on record.
Across the UK, smoking among adults also fell to its lowest level of 12.9% last year – a drop on the 13.3% reported in 2021.
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 Redditch were more likely to be smokers at 18.3% compared to 9.8% of women in the area last year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel