Welcome to the latest edition of Health Matters, PHE’s professional resource, which for this edition focuses on the range of smoking quitting routes that are available and the evidence for their effectiveness. It also explores perceptions around nicotine and e-cigarette safety.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in England. In 2016 alone, there were estimated to be 77,900 deaths attributable to smoking, representing 16% of all deaths across the UK.

Our smoking prevalence rates have continued to decline year on year and are now at a record low with 14.9% of people aged 18 years and above being smokers. However, inequalities persist and there are still groups where smoking rates remain stubbornly high, such as among people in manual occupations and individuals who suffer with a serious mental illness.....