Smoking among adults has dropped dramatically over the last decade, with a 41% decline in the proportion of adults who smoke across Great Britain’s three nations.
England has experienced the largest decline, with adult prevalence falling from 17.8% in 2014–10.4% in 2024, equating to about 6,096,500 adults, roughly 1 in 10 residents. In Wales, smoking fell from 19.4%–11.4%, with about 363,300 adults smoking in 2024, or about 1 in 7. Scotland dropped from 20.3%–12.0%, equating to roughly 665,600 adults, or 1 in 8 residents. Notably, Scotland began the decade with the highest smoking prevalence, meaning public health efforts there had to reduce a larger number of smokers to achieve this decline.
Looking at 2019–2024 in isolation, progress has accelerated, with Wales seeing the largest drop at 26.5%, closely followed by England at 25.2% and Scotland at 22.1%.
Sharp contrasts at the local level
Local authority data reveals striking differences across Britain. Tamworth in the West Midlands has seen the largest increase in smoking prevalence, rising by 124.7% over the past decade, from 8.5%–19.1%, equating to around 14,950 adult smokers across its population of 78,400. South Staffordshire and Uttlesford have also recorded notable increases of 84.1% and 77.0% respectively. Outside England, the Orkney Islands are the only Scottish region to have seen an increase at 42.4%, while Welsh regions have seen no increase.
At the other end of the spectrum, Epsom and Ewell in the South East has effectively eliminated smoking, falling from 14.3% in 2014–0% in 2024 across its population of 83,288. Stevenage and Selby have also seen declines of over 80%. Powys in Wales recorded a decline of 71.3% since 2014, while Inverclyde saw the largest Scottish decline at 67.9%.
Northern England still has the highest smoking prevalence, with Yorkshire and the Humber at 12.2%, around 692,100 adults, despite a decrease of 38.7% since 2014.
The human and financial cost
Smoking takes a measurable toll on life expectancy. Estimates from Northerner’s life savings calculator show that over 30 years, the projected years of life lost by number of cigarettes smoked per day are as follows
- 5 cigarettes per day: 2 years, 1 month, 10 days
- 10 cigarettes per day: 4 years, 2 months, 21 days
- 20 cigarettes per day: 8 years, 4 months, 12 days
Research also shows that quitting before age 30 can reduce the risk of death by up to 97%, extending life expectancy by up to a decade.
In England alone, smoking caused 191,903 deaths between 2017 and 2019, and related illnesses cost an estimated £21.8 billion in 2024.
Expert advice on quitting
Markus Lindblad, Head of Legal and External Affairs at nicotine pouch company Northerner, said: “While smoking rates are falling, the human impact remains severe. The journey to quitting smoking looks different for everyone. For many smokers, an immediate and complete stop is difficult to achieve due to nicotine dependence. Traditional smoking cessation has long been characterised by an all or nothing principle. However, both research and practical experience show that gradual changes often lead to better and more sustainable outcomes.
“Reducing cigarette consumption step by step, setting realistic goals, and finding the right support can make a significant difference. For some, alternative nicotine products can play a role in this transition, helping to manage cravings while moving away from smoking.
“It’s also important to identify personal triggers, whether that’s stress, social situations, or routine habits, and replace them with better alternatives. Small changes, like delaying your first cigarette of the day or cutting down gradually, can build momentum over time.
“Most importantly, no one has to do it alone. There is a wide range of support options available, from local stop smoking services and national helplines to online tools and apps, all designed to help people quit in a way that works for them.”