In 1974, almost half of all adults in the UK smoked. For many, spending time in smoke-filled homes, pubs and workplaces was simply a part of daily life.
Today, that figure has fallen to 15%. The government has pledged to end smoking in England altogether by 2030.
But some people remain much more likely to smoke than others.
People living on a low income are disproportionately likely to smoke, for example. One in three social housing residents and one in four manual workers smokes, compared with one in 10 of those in professional or managerial jobs.
Smoking rates also differ considerably around the country. Only 8.6% of those in East Devon smoke, for example, compared with 21.8% in Dundee.
This regional divide is startlingly illustrated by the proportion of women who smoke while pregnant.
In England, one in 10 pregnant women smoke. But within this there are huge variations – ranging from one in 50 in some wealthy parts of London to one in four in Blackpool, one of the most deprived areas.
Leonie Brose – BBC News -July 24, 2019.