Tobacco use: population target for adult smoking prevalence in Scotland

The white paper on health, Towards a healthier Scotland, set a target of reducing the rate of smoking among adults aged 16 to 64 years, from 35% to 33% between 1995 and 2005 and to 31% by 2010. The tobacco control action plan, A breath of fresh air for Scotland, revised the 2010 target to 29% . In December 2005, the adult smoking reduction target was revised again. The target was to reduce smoking prevalence among adults aged 16 years and over to 22% by 2010. Chart 1 (view chart)
 Close  shows that smoking prevalence among adults has gradually declined from 30.7% in 1999 to 23.3% in 2011. Reducing the percentage of adults who smoke continues to be a national indicator in the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework, although there is no longer a specific prevalence target.