THE number of adult smokers across Ayrshire has more than halved during the last 20 years, new research has revealed.

Recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics, covering each UK local authority area, show a significant drop in those continuing the habit since 2003.

East Ayrshire remains the area with the highest number of smokers in the region's three local authorities, with 15.7 per cent of the adult population lighting up or vaping. That was the ninth worst figure across Scotland's 32 local authorities.

But it's a vast improvement on the figure from 2003, when 32.1 per cent of the East Ayrshire population still smoked.

North Ayrshire came second in Ayrshire for the number of people still smoking, with 14.1 per cent of adults. Again, that's a huge reduction from the 2003 figure, when 28 per cent of the population continued to use tobacco.

In South Ayrshire, 14.1 per cent of people admitted they still smoked, down from 26.5 per cent two decades ago.

The recent ONS figures were taken from a five-year average from 2019 to 2023.

Across the UK as a whole, the highest number of smokers was found in Fenland, Cambridgeshire, where 22.1 per cent of the population still lit up or vaped on a regular basis.

In Scotland, North Lanarkshire topped the smoking blacklist with 20.8 per cent still using tobacco. That was the third worst figure for smoking in the UK.

Woking in Surrey had the lowest percentage of smokers in the UK - at just 5.3 per cent. The lowest in Scotland was East Dunbartonshire, standing at just 6.6 per cent.

If you would like to stop smoking, NHS Ayrshire and Arran's Quit Your Way service can help.

They have a choice of support options available to help you stop smoking, including face-to-face support, drop-in sessions, telephone support and video consultation.

To find out more email QYWAyrshire@aapct.scot.nhs.uk, phone: 0800 783 9132 or visit Facebook – Quit Your Way Ayrshire.