Concern was also voiced by Auditor General Dorinnia Carville at the surge of adult vapers, who have increased from 5% to 9% over the past ten years, as well as an estimated 9% of children aged 11 to 16 and 24% of Year 12 pupils.

According to the study Tackling the Public Health Impacts of Smoking and Vaping, 320,000 adults in Northern Ireland who are 16 years of age or older are projected to smoke now.

This is around 14%, down from 24% in 2010–11.

Notwithstanding, Ms. Carville's analysis reveals that obstacles persist, especially with regards to smoking prevalence, which is considerably greater in the most poor districts (24%), as opposed to the least deprived (7%).

Additionally, it was discovered that 2,200 pregnant women smoke every year, and new data points to a significant smoking incidence among those who have mental health problems.

Regarding the impact on the health care, the research indicates that smoking is responsible for around 15% of fatalities in Northern Ireland (2,200), approximately 35,000 hospital admissions connected to smoking each year, and an estimated £218 million spent on treating illnesses associated to smoking.

Premature deaths and excessive sick leave are estimated to have cost the local economy some £450 million, according to the Public Health Agency (PHA).

For those who smoke 20 cigarettes a day, the cost of smoking is estimated to be £4,600.