Additionally the increase in the price of cigarette packs may also have prompted many people to give up smoking.

"I am really pleased that there has been such an increase in successful quitters compared with the previous year and I'd like to take this opportunity to say well done to those who have quit," said Junior health minister Ann Keen. "This shows that the investments that we are making in helping smokers to quit are having a positive impact.”

The decrease in smoking has also impacted other health indicators with a study showing that heart attacks decreased by 17% in the 12 months after the smoking ban was introduced.

Source-PIB
RAS/L