Less than one in 10 young adults in the UK now smokes - a steep drop from a quarter of 18-24-year-olds 12 years ago, official new figures reveal.
Smoking rates in the UK have been falling over the past decade, with nearly 12 per cent (six million people) smoking in 2023, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says. This is the lowest proportion of smokers since records began in 2011.
Drop in smoking coincides with rise in vaping
The dramatic decline in smoking, particularly among young adults, coincides with an increase in vape use. Separate ONS figures show the highest increase in vape use, nearly 16 per cent, is among 16 to 24 year-olds.
Vapes are proven to help people successfully quit smoking - which kills one in eight regular smokers globally - and are much less harmful than inhaling tobacco smoke from cigarettes.
In 2023, the percentage of adults who smoked was:
- 11.6 per cent in England
- 12.6 per cent in Wales
- 13.5 per cent in Scotland
- 13.3 per cent in Northern Ireland
These figures are a sharp drop from the 20 per cent of UK adults who smoked in 2011.
Vaping not linked to tobacco-related disease
Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals and are known to raise the risk of a host of diseases including lung disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Meanwhile, research shows that vapes do not cause any tobacco-related diseases.
Legislation to tightly control the sale of cigarettes to young people was stalled by the general election in July. The previous Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak planned to ban those born after 2009 from ever legally buying cigarettes.
The new Labour government has said it will broadly continue with the same plans, while also looking at banning smoking outdoors, in pub gardens for example.
This is part of a commitment to make England "smoke free" (smoking rates lower than five per cent) by 2030.
Restrictions coming on vapes
However, the plans also contain controversial restrictions on vapes. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is likely to see a toughening of rules around the packaging, marketing and sale of vapes, alongside a ban on disposable vapes and most flavours.
And this week it was revealed the government also plans to ban vaping around playgrounds, schools and in hospital grounds.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will protect future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine, saving thousands of lives and easing pressures on the NHS."
Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year and puts huge pressure on the NHS, costing taxpayers billions. Meanwhile, vapes do not contain tobacco and are an effective aid in helping people to quit smoking.
About 5.1 million people in the UK used a vape in 2023 - 5.9 per cent of people aged 16 and over vaped every day, up slightly from the previous year, while another 3.9 per cent did so occasionally.
Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said despite progress in lowering smoking rates, there is still much to be done.
"Alongside creating a smoke-free generation, the government must maintain the commitment of the last government to invest in support to help the six million people currently smoking to quit,” she said.
