This report notes that an estimated 320,000 people aged 16 and over currently smoke in Northern Ireland, representing 14 per cent of the total population - this compares with 24 per cent of the population in 2010-11. However, challenges remain – the report notes that smoking prevalence is significantly higher among the most deprived areas (24 per cent) compared to the least deprived (7 per cent). In addition, around 2,200 pregnant women continue to smoke annually, and emerging research suggests a high smoking prevalence amongst people with mental health issues.