Smoking rates increase in some parts of UK - as researchers warn progress has 'stalled'

19 March 2025, 09:50 | Updated: 19 March 2025, 12:16

Smoking rates have increased in some parts of the UK, with researchers warning progress to stop overall has "stalled" in recent years.

A study from University College London (UCL) published in the journal Addiction, found the national average for smoking prevalence fell from 25.3% to 16.5% between 2006 and 2024.

However, while smoking rates are largely down since the early 2000s, there is an indication rates are starting to rise again in the last four years.

The analysis, based on the Smoking Toolkit Study data from 368,057 adults, found that between 2020 and 2024, there was an increase in smoking rates in the South West - which climbed from 16.0% to 18.7%.

There were also small increases in the South East (15.4% to 16.8%) and London (15.8% to 17.0%).

Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, of UCL's Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said: "But across England progress has stalled in recent years, and in some regions smoking rates appear to be increasing.

"It's vital that stop smoking services are made easily and equally available across the country, so that everyone - wherever they live - can access the right tools to quit for good."

Dr Ian Walker, from Cancer Research UK, said the UK "can't afford to lose any momentum" when it comes to cutting smoking rates.

If the Tobacco and Vapes Bill - which is currently working its way through the House of Commons - becomes law, anyone born after 1 January 2009 will be prevented from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought. It would also ban vape advertising and sponsorship.

Disposable vapes will be banned from June this year, under separate environmental legislation.

Smoking rates fall the most in the north

In October, the Office for National Statistics' Annual Population Survey estimated about six million adults smoked cigarettes in the UK in 2023, the lowest proportion since records began in 2011.

The largest and fastest fall in smoking rates was seen in the north of England, where rates almost halved from 28.8% to 15.8%.

Dr Jackson said: "Until recently, smoking rates were highest in the north of England, but our study shows that regional differences have narrowed considerably over the past 18 years.

"Smoking rates fell most in northern regions, where dedicated regional tobacco control programmes have been largely concentrated.

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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will create the first smoke-free generation and put us on track to a smoke-free UK.

"We are also committed to supporting current smokers to quit. We're investing an additional £70m for local Stop Smoking Services this year, and we are working to ensure that all NHS hospitals offer 'opt-out' smoking cessation services."

(c) Sky News 2025: Smoking rates increase in some parts of UK - as researchers warn progress has 'stalled'