New figures show that the number of adult smokers in Winchester declined last year.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics recorded the lowest proportion of smokers in the UK to date, with e-cigarettes playing a “major role” in the decline.

The data shows six per cent of people aged over 18 in Winchester were smokers in 2021, down slightly from 6.4 per cent the year before and 7.5 per cent five years ago.

Last year, a further 28.8 per cent of adults in the area were ex-smokers, while 65.2 per cent had never smoked.

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The data also showed that women in Winchester smoked more than men with nine per cent taking up cigarettes, while 2.4 per cent of men smoked.

Hazel Cheeseman, deputy chief executive of Action in Smoking and Health, welcomed the overall fall in smoking levels, but warned that the Government must not become “complacent”.

She added that, without a new tobacco plan from the Government, “the vision of being smoke-free by 2030” will not be met.

The current tobacco control plan aims to reduce smoking prevalence among adults in England to 12 per cent or less by the end of 2022.

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Chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board David Fothergill said that councils can help deliver the ambition of eliminating smoking in England by 2030 but needed certainty over long-term funding.

He added: “Reducing smoking rates among the remaining 5.4M smokers in England is the single biggest thing we can do to improve the nation’s health.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “We welcome the reduction in smoking across the Winchester area, a trend we are seeing elsewhere in Hampshire, as the dependency is one of the biggest causes of ill health locally and across the UK.

“Smoking is a difficult habit to break, but the New Year is a great time to quit for good.

“Whether you are a regular or occasional smoker, Smokefree Hampshire offers free, expert support and access to a range of stop-smoking medications.

“To find out more visit smokefreehampshire.co.uk, call 01264 563039 or text QUIT to 66777.”