Smoking
Smoking is
one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease. It damages
the lining of your arteries, leading to a build up of fatty
material (atheroma) and a reduced space for blood to pass
through.
The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the
amount of oxygen that the blood can carry to your heart
and body. Smoking raises blood pressure, and results in your heart having
to work harder.
In
Great Britain 21 per cent of adults smoke cigarettes. In
Northern Ireland 24 per cent of adults smoke.
Smoking rates vary between ethnic groups. In 2004, 40 per
cent of Bangladeshi men smoked, compared to 21 per
cent of Black African and Chinese men. With the exception of
Black Caribbean women, the number of women who smoke from ethnic
minorities is low, with only 2 per cent of Bangladeshi
women and 10 per cent of Black African women smoking.
Downloads
Statistics on
behavioural risk factors of heart disease, including smoking from
Coronary Heart Disease Statistics 2010
Cigarette smoking by sex, age and ethnic group, 2004,
England
Cigarette smoking by sex and ethnic group, 2004, England
Cigarette smoking by sex, age and ethnic group, 2004,
England
People setting a smoking cessation date and successful quitters, by
ethnic group, 2007-08, England
Self reported use of tobacco products by ethnic group and sex,
2004, England
Cigarette smoking by sex and age, 1972 to 2008, Great
Britain
Cigarette smoking by sex and age, 1983 to 2008-09, Northern
Ireland
Prevalence of smoking by sex, 1972 to 2008, Great Britain
Cigarette smoking by sex and age, 1972 to 2008, Great
Britain
Domestic supply of tobacco per 100,000 adults, 1961 to 2007,
UK
Domestic supply of tobacco, 1961 to 2007, United Kingdom
Prevalence of smoking by sex, 1972 to 2008, Great
Britain