HC Deb 05 November 2002 vol 392 cc272-3W
Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the smoking rates among children in each year since 1990 in(a) England and (b) each NHS region. [75639]

Ms Blears

Information on smoking among young people aged 11 to 15 years is obtained from a series of surveys of school children. Until 1998, these surveys were carried out every two years; since then they have been annual. The available information is shown in the tables.

Prevalence of regular cigarette smoking among secondary school children aged 11 to 15, England, 1990 to 2001
Regular smokers1(percentages) Base number
1990 10 3,121
1992 10 3,295
1994 12 3,045
1996 13 2,854
1998 11 4,723
1999 9 9,333
2000 10 7,061
2001 10 9,271
1 Regular smokers are defined as those who smoke at least one cigarette a week, on average.

Sources:

ONS: Smoking, drinking and drug use among young teenagers in 1999.

NCSR: Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2000. Available on the internet at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/englandsmoking.pdf

NCSR: Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2001: Preliminary Results (DH Statistical Press Notice). Available on the internet at http:/www.doh.gov.uk/public/statspntables.htm

Prevalence of regular cigarette smoking among secondary school children aged 11 to 15, by Government Office Region England, 1999 to 2000
Percentages
Region 1999 2000 Base numbers (for 2000)
North East 9 8 428
North West/Merseyside 10 11 999
Yorkshire and Humberside 10 9 583
East Midlands 8 11 687
West Midlands 9 11 931
Eastern 10 12 820
London 9 9 571
South East 8 11 1,325
South West 9 9 717
England 9 10 7,061

Notes:

1. The base in 1999 (England) was 9,333.

2. Data not available by NHS region.

3. Data not available by NHS region or Government Office region prior to 1999.

4. Only preliminary results have been published from the 2001 survey: the main report will be published in late 2002.

Sources:

1. ONS: Smoking, drinking and drug use among teenagers in 1999.

2. NCSR: Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in 2000.Available on the internet at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/englandsmoking.pdf

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