The Scottish Government

Title

Rate of smoking in adults

National Indicator/Target

Reduce the percentage of the adult population who smoke to 22% by 2010,

Brief description

The proportion of adults aged 16+ years who are current smokers. Reducing rates of adult smoking has high public and political profile.

Strategic Objective(s) to Which Indicator Relates

This indicator informs progress in relation to the Healthier Strategic Objective.

More Detailed Definitions

Definitions of Keywords

Current smoker is based on self-reporting in response to the following question:

QDo you smoke cigarettes nowadays?

AYes; No

Adults are defined as those aged 16 years and over.

Evidence Source

Data source: Scottish Household Survey

This is taken as a direct measurement of the percentage replying to the question set out above.

Target in Relation to a Sub-Group of the Population

Disaggregation options considered:

- Reduce the smoking rate for people living in deprived areas.

- A focus on young people (This will likely be a policy focus in the next 5 years, with a revised target for 13-15 year olds and a new target for 16-24 year olds being developed by Spring 2008).

- There is also an existing target to reduce smoking in pregnancy.

Baseline and Past Trends

Baseline, most recent, value (2006): 25%

Previous value (2005): 26%

Recent direction of travel (1999-2006): Consistent downward trend, from 30% in 1999

Chart: Smoking prevalence - Adults aged 16+ years SCOTLAND 1999-2006

Source: Scottish Government - Scottish Household Survey

Methodology

Sample survey data

The proportion smoking is the proportion of respondents answering 'yes' when asked if they smoke cigarettes nowadays

The annual denominator population for the Scottish Household Survey is approximately 14,000 adults aged 16+ years

Data Ownership and Quality Assurance

The source is a National Statistics output.

Publication of Data

There are regular Annual Reports, Bulletins and Topic Reports arising from the Scottish Household Survey which can be freely accessed on the Scottish Government website

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16002/4049

Smoking results are published as part of the High Level Summary of Statistics

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/TrendSmoking