Smoking causes 19% of all deaths in the UK.

Smoking is responsible for:

87% of all cases of lung cancer
86% of all cases of obstructive pulmonary disease
58% of heart disease in those ages 35-54

The rate for Tower Hamlets of smoking is 37% whish is one of the highest rates seen in the UK (national prevalence being 27%).
In 2004, 42% of all deaths in Tower Hamlets were estimated to be due to smoking.

Smoking when pregnant is particulary harmful, with adverse effects of growth restriction, pre-term delivery stillbirth and cot death. 2005-2006 records show that 4.8% of pregnant women in Tower Hamlets were smokers.