BROMSGROVE saw a fall in the rate of adult smokers last year, new figures show.
Office for National Statistics figures recorded the lowest proportion of smokers in the UK to date, with e-cigarettes playing a "major role" in the decline.
The ONS data shows 11.1 per cent of people aged over 18 in Bromsgrove were smokers in 2021, down from 15.9 per cent the year before. It was also a fall from 12 per cent five years ago.
Last year, a further 26.9 per cent of adults in the area were ex-smokers while 62.1 per cent had never smoked.
Men in Bromsgrove smoked more than women with 19.5 per cent taking up cigarettes, while 2.6 per cent of women smoked.
Hazel Cheeseman, deputy chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, welcomed the overall fall in smoking levels, but said the government must not become "complacent".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here