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September 30, 2014 by Christine Black

Smoking Facts

22% of women and 27% of men are now ex-smokers. Surveys show that about two-thirds of current smokers would like to stop smoking. More than half (59%) of all adults report that they have never smoked.

Action on Smoking and Health

There are about 10 million adults who smoke cigarettes in Great Britain:

this is about a sixth of the total UK population

In Great Britain 22% of adult men and 19% of adult women are smokers

Among men smoking prevalence is highest in the 25-34 age group (32%). Among women, smoking is highest among 20-24 year olds (29%). In 1974, 51% of men and 41% of women smoked cigarettes – nearly half the adult population. Smoking rates are markedly higher among poorer people. In 2012, 14% of a… Read more

Action on Smoking and Health

Two-thirds of smokers start before age 18. In 2011 it was estimated that more than 200,000 children aged 11- 15 started smoking. It is illegal to sell cigarettes to any person under the age of 18.

Action on Smoking and Health

There is some variation in smoking rates by region in England and between countries within the UK.

In 2012, Yorkshire and Humber had the highest prevalence (22.7%) while London and the South East had the lowest at 18%.

In 2012, adult smoking rates by country were:

England 20%

Scotland 23%

Wales 23%

N. Ireland 24%

Action on Smoking and Health

60% of smokers say they would find it hard to last a whole day without smoking.

Action on Smoking and Health

In 2012-13 the Government earned £12.3 billion in revenue from tobacco tax (including VAT). The Government spent £88.2m on services to help people stop smoking and a further £60.1m on stop smoking medication.

Action on Smoking and Health

About half of all regular cigarette smokers will eventually be killed by their addiction. Every year, over 100,000 smokers in the UK die from smoking related causes. Smoking accounts for over one-third of respiratory deaths, over one-quarter of cancer deaths, and about one-seventh of cardiovascular disease deaths.

Action on Smoking and Health

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, present as either gases or as tiny particles. These include carbon monoxide, arsenic, formaldehyde, cyanide, benzene, toluene and acrolein.

Action on Smoking and Health