The Healthy Ireland Survey is an interviewer-administered survey with interviews conducted on a face-to-face basis with individuals aged 15 and over. The initial wave of this survey involved 7,539 interviews. Fieldwork was conducted between November 2014 and August 2015.

Smoking

• 23% of the Irish population aged 15 and over are smokers. 19% are daily and 4% are occasional smokers
• Smoking levels are higher amongst those living in the most deprived areas and in lower social classes
• The majority (63%) of smokers are trying to, planning to or considering quitting
• More Irish adults are now ex-smokers (28%) than current smokers (23%)

Alcohol

• 76% of the Irish population drink alcohol, with 53% of drinkers doing so at least weekly
• Men are more likely to drink than women, and those aged 25-64 are more likely to drink than those younger or older than this
• Almost 4 in 10 (39%) drinkers binge drink on a typical drinking occasion with over a fifth (24%) doing so at least once a week
• Lower levels of drinking in more deprived areas and lower social classes, but higher levels of binge drinking
• 15% of those drinking at harmful levels felt in the past 12 months that their drinking harmed their health, and 22% felt they should cut down on their drinking