Charity welcomes continued reduction in smoking rates, says more is needed
The latest NI Health Survey, published this morning from the Department of Health, shows that just over 1 in 8 people in Northern Ireland still smoke. Today’s results show that 13% of NI adults over 16 smoke, compared to 14% this time last year.
Naomi Thompson, Health Improvement Manager at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, comments: “While it is great that smoking trends continue to decrease, 1 in 8 adults smoking is still too many. Tobacco is linked with a quarter of NI cancer deaths and 17 different types of cancer. To help people be healthier and richer, we need to move to a smokefree society.”
The percentage decrease in smoking is offset by an equivalent increase in vaping. Today’s results show that 10% of all adults use e-cigarettes (vapes), up from 9% last year and 5% in 2020/21. Vape use is especially high in the young adult age group (19%).
Naomi continues: “While vaping can be a useful stop-smoking tool, our recommendation would be: if you don’t smoke, don’t vape. We just don’t yet know the long-term health consequences of vaping, but early evidence suggests they are not risk-free.”
In recognition of the harms of tobacco, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has offered stop smoking services for over 50 years and in 2023 launched a vision for a Smokefree Northern Ireland by 2035.”
To learn more about cancer prevention and to get help to stop smoking, visit https://cancerfocusni.org/ or call the charity’s Nurseline (0800 783 3339, M/W/F 9am – 1pm).
