FEWER adults in Wrexham and Flintshire were smokers last year, new figures show.

As smoking levels in the UK hit a record low, public health charity Action on Smoking and Health urged the Government to bring forward its bill to end the sale of tobacco and to create a generation "free from the harms of smoking".

Based on the 521 respondents to the Office for National Statistic's annual population survey in Wrexham, an estimated 13.9% of adults in the area were smokers in 2023 – down slightly from 14.3% the year before.

The figures also showed 23.8% of adults in Wrexham were ex-smokers, while 62.4% have never smoked.

In Flintshire, records reached a new low. Based on the 467 respondents to the Office for National Statistic's annual population survey in Flintshire, an estimated 12.2% of adults in the area were smokers in 2023 – down from 13.6% the year before and the lowest since local records began in 2012.

The figures also showed 27.1% of adults in Flintshire were ex-smokers, while 60.7% have never smoked.

Across the UK, smoking levels reached their lowest level since national records began in 2011, with 11.9% of adults saying they smoked cigarettes. In Wales, 12.6% smoked.

ASH chief executive Hazel Cheeseman said the figures are proof the country is "ready to be smoke-free".

She added: "There is cross-party support for ending the sale of tobacco and creating a generation free from the harms of smoking and Government should bring forward the bill as soon as possible."

Despite the progress, she said there is still more to be done.

She added: "Our poorest communities continue to pay the price for tobacco company profits, as do our public services and economy.

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"Alongside creating a smoke-free generation, the Government must maintain the commitment of the last Government to invest in support to help the 6 million people currently smoking to quit."

E-cigarette use was highest among people aged 16 to 24 years, with 15.8% using e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally.

Professor Nick Hopkinson, respiratory physician and chairman of ASH, said: "Vaping has helped millions of adults quit smoking and is much less harmful than smoking.

"However, it is not risk-free and high levels of use among young people and growing use among never smokers is a concern."