Smoking rate up from 27% to 29% since 2002
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
The proportion of people who smoke in Ireland has increased over the past seven years despite the introduction of the workplace smoking ban and significant increases in the price of cigarettes.
New figures from the Department of Health put the overall smoking rate at 29%, compared to 27% in 2002.
The rate of smoking is higher among women at 31%, compared to 27% of men.
Smoking is also more popular among younger age groups, with more than one-third of 18- to 29-year-olds now engaging in the habit.
Post a comment
Limit: 500 characters
View all comments that have been posted about this article
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP address logged and may be used to prevent further submissions. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by BelfastTelegraph.co.uk's Terms of Use.
Posts submitted in UPPERCASE letters will be rejected.








.











I've always suspected the anti-smoking crusade was really a Trojan horse for the tobacco industry. After all, what would make you want to smoke more than the bullying, self-righteous bigots prominent therein and their intolerant policies? Nothing like the old "Forbidden Fruit" phonomenon to boost sales.
Posted by chris | 23.06.09, 14:08 GMT
The smoking ban and views/attitudes of people like Stuart Holmes are not helpfull, they make smokers feel like victims.
Pubs should be allowed to declare Smoking or Non-Smoking as they do in Spain.
As for NHS healthcare, smokers more than pay their way via taxes.
Worse drugs being used, cocaine, heroin etc, sort that out then worry about nicotine.
Stephen
EX-Smoker (6 months)
Posted by Stephen | 19.06.09, 12:49 GMT
This is what dictatorship have done, it have made smoking a rebell statament against the stupid law "smoking ban" that this government brought in. People do not want a nanny state or a state governed by dictators who do not beleive or pratice equality, diversity, tollerance and peoples choice.
Posted by clif | 19.06.09, 08:10 GMT
Do any shops still sell singles?
Posted by erasmus | 18.06.09, 15:56 GMT
Stuart Homes, your points are utter rubbish. You can put out all the scewed statistics you want out there but it doesnt mean theyre even remotely relevant and they are definitely far from accurate.
There has been plently of "action" in recent years so leave smokers in peace and find another hobby! Theyre outside now leaving people like you in peace.
BTW I dont even smoke. Never did.
Posted by Dammed Statistics | 18.06.09, 13:05 GMT
I think we can blame Actors Smoking in Films for the increase in smoking among young people? There has been an avalanche of smoking promotion as a result of more films being shown on TV DVDs & Internet etc. Sky TV alone broadcast over 450 films a week 80% promote smoking via actors smoking -role models etc.
Hopefully the World Health Organisations new report Smoke Free Movies from evidence to action & Obamas FDA regulation of tobacco will impact Actors Smoking by banning smoking in films. Also tobacco should not be for sale, wheres the consumer protection? It should only be available from chemists under prescription! We need Urgent Action Now! Stuart Holmes Anti-smoking campaigner www.ActorSmokingFilmsTV.blogspot.com
Posted by Stuart Holmes | 17.06.09, 12:26 GMT
More proof if it were needed that smoking bans do not work, as has been shown worldwide. So in effect Billions have been wasted in achieving a reverse of the intended outcome.
Yet billions more will be pumped in regardless of results like this.
Posted by Robert Feal-Martinez | 16.06.09, 10:54 GMT