Almost a third of men (32%) drank at levels putting them at increased or higher risk of alcohol-related harm in 2022, up from 28% in 2021, according to part 1 of the latest Health Survey statistics.

Adults living in the most deprived areas were more likely to smoke cigarettes (21%) than those living in the least deprived areas (9%).  

The figures also revealed a rise in the number of children using e-cigarettes or vapes.

Some 12% of children aged 8-15 had used an e-cigarette or vaping device in 2022, up from 9% in 2019.

Additionally, 25% of children aged 13-15 years had used an e-cigarette, an increase from 19% in 2019.

Dr McCay said: ‘The fact that a higher proportion of adults are drinking at increasing or higher risk levels and more children are vaping is something that health leaders will want to keep a close eye on.'

She voiced concerns at the continued shelving or delaying of plans to tackle social determinants of health with the Major conditions strategy and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill pushed back until after the General Election along with the failure to publish the Health Disparities White Paper in 2022.

Dr McCay called on the next Government to ‘lead a cross-Government national mission for health improvement'.