Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics has indicated that there are less people smoking in Wrexham in 2021 in comparison to 2020.

The figures indicated the estimated prevalence of cigarette smoking in the UK in 2021 by local authority area.

In the data it was found that the estimated prevalence of cigarette smoking in Wrexham has decreased from 17.6% in 2020 to 13.8% in 2021. 

In Flintshire, there was a slight rise in the proportion of cigarette smokers from 13.9% in 2020 to 14.3% in 2021.

The proportion of smokers across the whole of the UK has fallen to its lowest level on record, with statisticians saying vaping has played a “major role” in this drop.

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Suzanne Cass, CEO of tobacco control charity ASH Cymru said: "Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in Wales, so figures indicating a decline is truly welcomed.

"ONS have marked vaping’s important role in this decline, which encapsulates how the modern tobacco landscape is changing.

"According to the National Survey of Wales, 76% of current vapers use e-cigarettes to quit tobacco, which makes them the most popular stop smoking tool in Wales.

"The current evidence shows that vaping carries a small fraction of the health risks of smoking. In this context, we welcome vaping’s role in reducing smoking rates in Wales.’’

Recently, the UK Government issued an independent report on e-cigarettes, which reviewed over 400 studies on vaping.

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According to ASH Cymru, the report is the largest of its kind to date. The report found that while not-risk free, vaping carried a fraction of the risks of smoking, and significantly reduced exposure to toxicants that implicate cancer, lung disease and cardiovascular disease.

In light of the report, ASH Cymru has been supportive of e-cigarettes use as a less harmful tobacco alternative in Wales.

Beyond the significant role e-cigarettes have played in reducing smoking prevalence, the charity marks that continued tobacco control measures have also contributed to a decline in smoking.

Suzanne added: "Welsh Government has a long record of working towards reducing smoking rates in Wales. Recently, our Government released a new tobacco control strategy which will seek to make Wales smoke-free by 2030.

"However, this strategy sits within a long body of work which has seen: smoke-free legislation, enhanced education and improved support for those seeking to quit smoking in Wales. Along with e-cigarettes, the culmination of these measures can be seen to have contributed to the steady decline of smoking in Wales."