These deaths are those caused by choking on food or vomit.

See also Map 34 Suicide/undetermined by hanging, which includes deaths due to asphyxiation.

Central and western Scotland are immediately obvious as the places with the highest SMRs. Outside of Scotland, Morpeth and St Albans East are the only neighbourhoods with SMRs over 400.

Choking is involuntary coughing or gasping for air caused by the blockage of the windpipe (trachea) which can occur when food goes down the windpipe rather than the food pipe (oesophagus). It is more unusual to choke on non-food objects.

It is well known that babies and toddlers are at a higher risk from this cause, but it can cause death to adults of all ages. Two-fifths of these deaths are of the over 70s. Fishbones, nuts, raisins, sweets, raw vegetables, burgers and steak are some of the most common foods involved in choking incidents; pretzels are less common although apparently almost claimed George W. Bush in 2002.

Choking can also be caused by the blockage of the airways by vomit. This form of choking is most often associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Rates are high in particular parts of some university towns where students are concentrated.

Musician Jimi Hendrix died from this cause.