A broadsheet is the largest newspaper format and is characterised by long vertical pages. Broadsheet newspapers have been popular in the United Kingdom since the 18th century since a tax was placed on newspapers based on the number of pages; the larger sized broadsheets required less pages to print the same amount of news. In several countries, broadsheets are considered to be more intellectual than their tabloid equivalents by being able to use the greater size to write longer articles and printing less celebrity and sensationalist material. In recent years there has been a trend on downsizing broadsheets so as commuters can more easily hold and read newspapers on public transport.