Smoking Statistics in the UK

Prevalence of smoking in the UK

Over the past few decades, the UK has witnessed a decline in smoking prevalence.

1. Number of smokers in the UK: 1960 to 2023

Smoking rates in the UK have experienced significant fluctuations over the past six decades.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in 1960, approximately 51% of the adult population (aged 18 years and above)  in the UK were smokers.

This number steadily declined over the years due to increased awareness of the health risks associated with smoking and the implementation of anti-smoking policies.

In 2021, an estimated 14.1% of adults (aged 18 years and above) in the UK smoked.

By 2023, the estimated number of smokers in the UK is projected to be around 13% of the population or 8 million adults (aged 18 years and above) which is comparable to the US.

This figure demonstrates a considerable decline from previous years, reflecting the success of tobacco control measures and public health campaigns but does not take into account the increase in people vaping.

Source: Office for National Statistics

2. Smoking prevalence by region of the UK

Smoking rates can vary significantly across different regions of the UK. The highest smoking prevalence tends to be observed in areas with lower socioeconomic status and higher levels of deprivation.

In 2021, Scotland had the highest smoking prevalence (15.6%), followed by Northern Ireland (15.5%), Wales (14.6%), and England (13.8%).

According to a report by Public Health England, in 2020, the highest smoking prevalence was observed in the North East of England, where 17.7% of adults smoked. Conversely, London had the lowest smoking prevalence at 11.7%. Understanding these regional variations helps target interventions and resources to areas with higher smoking rates.

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

3. Trends in smoking over time

Analysing the trends in smoking behavior from 2007 to 2023 reveals the progress made in reducing smoking prevalence in the UK.

In 2007, the smoking prevalence among adults (aged 18 years and over) in the UK was approximately 25%. Since then, the implementation of various anti-smoking policies, such as higher taxes on tobacco products, comprehensive advertising bans, and smoking cessation programs, has contributed to a significant decline in smoking rates.

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

Between 2011 and 2021, the proportion of adult smokers in the UK decreased by 4.7 percentage points.

Furthermore, smoking rates among young people followed a downward trend for many years but increased in recent years coupled with the increase in teenage vaping.

The 2021 Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Use among Young People in England (SDD) survey reported that only 4% of 11 to 15-year-olds identified as regular smokers, compared to 8% in 2011.

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

In the UK over the last few years, there has been an increasing focus by the medical establishment to promote as e-cigarettes as a means of stopping smoking.

While these products may have potential as harm reduction tools for smokers, their long-term effects are still being researched. Their popularity is growing year on year but also the number of teenagers vaping is growing.

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

Demographic patterns of smoking in the UK

1. Age

Smoking rates vary across different age groups.

According to the ONS, smoking prevalence is highest among 25 to 34-year-olds (20.4% in 2021), while individuals aged 65 and over have the lowest smoking rates (5.5% in 2021). Younger age groups have shown significant declines in smoking rates over the years. In 2023 there was a sharp increase in middle-class women smoking read full article here

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

2. Gender

Historically, smoking rates have been higher among men than women in the UK. However, this gender gap has been closing.

In 2021, smoking prevalence was 15.7% among men and 12.7% among women.

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

3. Region of UK

Smoking rates also exhibit regional variations.

In 2021, Scotland had the highest smoking prevalence (15.6%), followed by Northern Ireland (15.5%), Wales (14.6%), and England (13.8%).

Source: University College London, Top-line findings on smoking in England from the Smoking Toolkit Study Vera Buss, Robert West, Loren Kock, Dimitra Kale, Jamie Brown

4. Socioeconomic Status

Smoking rates remain higher among individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

In a 2019 study Public Health England found 25% of routine & manual workers smoked against an average in England of 14%.

Source: Public Health England

The 2021 Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Use among Young People in England (SDD) survey highlighted that 9% of pupils eligible for free school meals identified as regular smokers, compared to 2% of those who were not eligible.

Health effects of smoking in the UK

Smoking has severe health consequences, contributing to a range of diseases and premature mortality.

In the UK, smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths. It is estimated that smoking-related illnesses result in around 78,000 deaths per year in the UK.

Lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases are some of the leading causes of smoking-related deaths.

Furthermore, smoking exacerbates health inequalities, with individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experiencing higher rates of smoking-related diseases and premature mortality.

Read more about what happens when you quit smoking including the timeline and benefits.

Efforts to reduce smoking in the UK

1. Tobacco control policies

The UK has implemented a comprehensive range of tobacco control policies, including advertising restrictions, plain packaging regulations, smoke-free legislation, and increased taxation on tobacco products.

These policies aim to reduce the accessibility and attractiveness of tobacco products, discourage smoking initiation, and support cessation.

2. Cessation programs

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK provides free support and resources to help smokers quit.

This includes access to medications, such as nicotine replacement therapy and prescription drugs, as well as in some locations a drug free method Allen Carr’s Easyway to Quit Smoking.

3. Public health campaigns

Public health campaigns help raise awareness about the dangers of smoking with the intention of encouraging smokers to quit.

Such campaigns in the UK include “Stoptober” and “Smokefree”.

Final thoughts

The smoking statistics in the UK reveal a positive trend of declining smoking rates over time but they still remain high and show an increase in teenage smoking.

There is also an increase in the number of people vaping including young people.

Efforts to reduce smoking prevalence have been supported by tobacco control policies, cessation programs, and public health campaigns.

However, challenges remain, particularly in addressing health inequalities and targeting specific demographic groups with higher smoking rates.

Continued efforts are required in the UK which includes the NICE recommendation that the drug free method Allen Carr’s Easyway to Quit Smoking should be made available by the NHS to all smokers.