Report reveals 35,000 smoking-related hospital admissions are recorded in Northern Ireland per year

Dorinnia Carville’s report on ‘Tackling the Public Health Impacts of Smoking and Vaping’ considers trends in smoking and vaping prevalence in Northern Ireland, and action taken to reduce smoking levels.

The report notes that an estimated 320,000 people aged 16 and over currently smoke in Northern Ireland, representing 14 per cent of the total population - this compares with 24 per cent of the population in 2010-11. However, challenges remain – the report notes that smoking prevalence is significantly higher among the most deprived areas (24 per cent) compared to the least deprived (seven per cent). In addition, around 2,200 pregnant women continue to smoke annually, and emerging research suggests a high smoking prevalence amongst people with mental health issues.