UK smoking rates ‘have halved since the 1970s’

New government data has shown a dramatic fall in the number of smokers since the 1970s, thanks in part to wider awareness of its health impact.

The Office for National Statistics figures for 2013 revealed that 19 percent of the population smoke, whereas this proportion was 46 percent in 1974. It means the number of smokers has fallen by more than half in four decades.

During this time, a number of laws have been enacted to curb smoking rates, including the banning of tobacco advertising, increased taxation on cigarettes and a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.

In response to these figures, Cancer Research UK called for further measures to bring down the number of smokers even further, while also highlighting the need for better understanding of the risks associated with e-cigarettes.

George Butterworth, tobacco policy manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "We urge the government to maintain momentum by introducing standardised packaging with graphic health warnings and drab colours – to replace attractive, colourful branding of tobacco products."

This comes after the government successfully encouraged more than 250,000 smokers across England and Wales to take part in last month's Stoptober cessation campaign.