Irish among top global smokers and drinkers

Latest figures from the OECD show Ireland has one of the highest rates of smoking among adults at 29% of the population, with only Greece, Chile and the Russian Federation ahead of us.

Latest figures from the OECD show Ireland has one of the highest rates of smoking, and drinking, with above-average rates of obesity among adults.

29% of the population aged over 15 smoke, with only Greece, Chile and the Russian Federation ahead of us. By comparison, our nearest neighbour in the UK has only 19.6% of its adults smoking. The average for the OECD 34 nations is 20.9%.