Smoking rates in Carlisle reached a record low last year, new figures show.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 9.9 per cent of adults in Carlisle smoked in 2022 – down from 14.7 per cent the year before and the lowest rate since records began for the area in 2012.

It follows trends across England, where the national rate of smokers reached 12.7 per cent, the lowest level on record.

Across the UK, smoking among adults also fell to its lowest level of 12.9 per cent last year – a drop on the 13.3 per cent reported in 2021.

The data also revealed men in the UK were more likely to smoke, with 14.6 per cent using cigarettes in 2022 compared to 11.2 per cent of women.

Similarly, men in Carlisle were more likely to be smokers at 10.8 per cent compared to 9 per cent of women in the area last year.

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The prime minister has announced plans to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco every year meaning that a 14-year-old will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.

The policy has cross party support including the Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border. 

"As someone who firmly believes in the importance of preventative medicine," said Dr Neil Hudson MP, "I don't think anyone wants their loved ones to damage their health so it's only right to make sure children turning 14 this year can't start the journey to smoking and we also help current smokers to quit.”