Band 8+: The line graph below gives information about men and women smokers in Bhutan from 1960 to 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The line graph illustrates the number of male and female smokers in Bhutan per 1,000 individuals over a 40-year period, spanning from 1960 to 2000.

Overall, both genders showed a declining trend in smoking rates, although women exhibited a more substantial increase in the early years before commencing a gradual decline.

By analyzing the data for male smokers, it is evident that the figure started at 600 per 1,000 in 1960 and experienced a consistent decline throughout the following decades. The smoking prevalence among men decreased to 550 in 1965, further dropping to 525 by 1970. This trend persisted, reaching 500 in 1975 and continuing downwards to 450 in 1980. From the mid-1980s, a gradual reduction was observed, culminating in a recorded 350 male smokers per 1,000 by 2000.

In contrast, the data for female smokers reveal a different trajectory. Initially, the number of female smokers was significantly lower at 75 per 1,000 in 1960. However, there was a marked increase throughout the 1960s and 1970s, peaking at 250 in 1975. The 1980s witnessed a further rise, reaching a maximum of 350 in 1985. Subsequently, from this peak, the rate began to decline gradually, measuring 300 in 1995 and eventually reducing to 275 by the year 2000.