The latest figures from the Integrated Household Survey suggest 12.2% of the adult population in Devon smoke as illustrated in figure 9.7. This is below the South West (15.5%), local authority comparator group (15.3%) and England rate (16.9%). As shown in figure 9.8, smoking rates have fallen in recent years.
Figure 9.7, Adult Smoking Rate (%), Devon Local Authority Comparator Group, 2015
Source: Office for National Statistics Integrated Household Survey, 2016
Figure 9.8, Trend in Adult Smoking Rate (%), Devon, 2010 to 2015
Source: Office for National Statistics Integrated Household Survey, 2016
Smoking rates are higher in more deprived areas, are higher in younger adults and are higher in males than females, as illustrated in figure 9.9. The peak age for female smoking is 25 to 34 whilst it is 16 to 24 for females, with the sex gap narrowing with age. The deprivation pattern contributes to higher levels of smoking in routine and manual occupational groups (21.0% in Devon). Whilst this has narrowed, a gap persists.
Figure 9.9, Adult Smoking Prevalence by Age, Sex and Deprivation, England, 2014
Source: Health Survey for England 2014, Office for National Statistics, 2015
Figure 9.10, Trend in Adult Smoking Rate (%), Routine and Manual occupations and overall rate, Devon, 2011 to 2015
Source: Health Survey for England 2014, Office for National Statistics, 2015