Ipswich smoking rates fall to lowest level since records began

The big picture: While smoking rates have dropped to record lows, health experts are now raising concerns about rising vape use, particularly among young people.

By the numbers:

• 9.4% of Ipswich adults currently smoke

• 19.9% are former smokers

• 70.8% have never smoked

• Nationally, 9.8% of adults now use e-cigarettes or vapes

Why it matters: The figures come as the government prepares two significant changes to tobacco laws:

• A ban on anyone born after 2009 from legally buying tobacco

• New restrictions on vape flavours, packaging and displays

What they're saying: "There is cross-party support for ending the sale of tobacco and creating a generation free from the harms of smoking," says Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

But Professor Nick Hopkinson, respiratory physician and ASH chairman, warns about vaping: "Vaping has helped millions of adults quit smoking and is much less harmful than smoking. However, it is not risk-free and high levels of use among young people and growing use among never smokers is a concern."

The Department of Health and Social Care said: "Vapes can be an effective way for adult smokers to quit, but we have always been clear children and adult non-smokers should not vape."

The bottom line: While Ipswich's smoking rate has fallen below both the national average of 11.9% and the regional average of 11.5%, attention is now turning to ensuring vaping doesn't create a new generation of nicotine addicts.

Sources

• Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2023