THE rate of people smoking in Bradford reached a record low last year, new figures show.

Based on the 488 respondents to the Office for National Statistic's (ONS) annual population survey in Bradford, an estimated 14.4 per cent of adults in the area were smokers in 2023 – down from 15.6 per cent the year before and the lowest since local records began in 2012.

The survey asked people if they "smoke cigarettes nowadays".

The figures also showed 20 per cent of adults in Bradford were ex-smokers, while 65.6 per cent have never smoked.

Across the UK, smoking levels reached their lowest level since national records began in 2011, with 11.9 per cent of adults now saying they smoked cigarettes. 

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said the figures are proof the country is "ready to be smoke-free".

Publication of the smoking statistics comes after the Government revived plans to introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in July, which could progressively increase the age at which people can buy tobacco, preventing anyone born in or after 2009 being legally able to do so.

It could also lead to restrictions on the flavours, packaging and display of vapes.

Separate figures from the ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey found around 5.1 million adults aged 16 years and over (9.8 per cent) used an e-cigarette daily or occasionally in Great Britain last year.

E-cigarette use was highest among people aged 16 to 24 years, with 15.8 per cent using e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally.

Professor Nick Hopkinson, respiratory physician and chairman of ASH, said: "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."

He said the new bill must provide a "tough" regulatory framework to control the marketing and sale of e-cigarettes.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson 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."

They added: "Meanwhile, smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS and costs taxpayers billions.

"The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will protect future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine, saving thousands of lives and easing pressures on the NHS."