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21/05/2004
Report reveals contrasting smoking and drinking numbers
The number of people smoking in Northern Ireland has fallen dramatically over the last 15 years, however drinking figures have increased significantly during the same period.
This is according to a new report by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety which examines trends in the prevalence of smoking and drinking behaviour by age, gender and socio-economic status.
The report, which analysed data over the period 1986-2002, examined trends in behaviour for different people, of similar ages, at different points in time (birth cohorts).
In 1986, 35% of men and 32% of women, over age 16, smoked however by 2002 these proportions had fallen to 27% and 26%, respectively. The decline in smoking has been significantly less marked amongst women, compared to men, and by 2002 a similar proportion of both women and men were current smokers.
The proportion of men and women who currently drink has increased from 73% of men and 59% of women in 1986, to 81% and 73% respectively in 2002. Men were more likely than women to drink alcohol in each year between 1986-2002, although the gap has narrowed over that time.
Drinking is more common amongst successive age groups at the same age and is significantly more marked amongst women than men. This may have implications for the future health of women.
The research was commissioned by DHSSPS and undertaken by two academics at the London School of Economics and King’s College London.
(MB)
This is according to a new report by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety which examines trends in the prevalence of smoking and drinking behaviour by age, gender and socio-economic status.
The report, which analysed data over the period 1986-2002, examined trends in behaviour for different people, of similar ages, at different points in time (birth cohorts).
In 1986, 35% of men and 32% of women, over age 16, smoked however by 2002 these proportions had fallen to 27% and 26%, respectively. The decline in smoking has been significantly less marked amongst women, compared to men, and by 2002 a similar proportion of both women and men were current smokers.
The proportion of men and women who currently drink has increased from 73% of men and 59% of women in 1986, to 81% and 73% respectively in 2002. Men were more likely than women to drink alcohol in each year between 1986-2002, although the gap has narrowed over that time.
Drinking is more common amongst successive age groups at the same age and is significantly more marked amongst women than men. This may have implications for the future health of women.
The research was commissioned by DHSSPS and undertaken by two academics at the London School of Economics and King’s College London.
(MB)
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