Smoking rate in Britain falls to record low

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 7, 2026

In 2025, the proportion of adults who smoke cigarettes in Britain dropped to a record low of 9.8 percent, down from 10.6 percent in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. This continued decline, which has seen smoking rates fall by over 10 percentage points since 2011, reflects ongoing public health efforts to reduce tobacco use and its associated harms.

In 2025, the proportion of adults in Britain who smoke cigarettes fell to a record low, with fewer than one in 10 reported as current smokers, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS Annual Population Survey estimated that approximately 4.9 million adults aged 18 and over, or 9.8 percent of the population, smoked in Britain last year. This figure represents a decrease from the 10.6 percent recorded in 2024.

The survey data indicate a significant decline in smoking prevalence over the past decade. Since the ONS began collecting this data in 2011, the percentage of adults who smoke has dropped by 10.4 percentage points, from 20.2 percent to the current level. This trend reflects continuing public health efforts to reduce tobacco use.

The ONS figures are based on the Annual Population Survey, which collects information on various aspects of the UK population’s demographics and behaviors. Although the data highlight steady progress in reducing smoking rates, public health officials stress the importance of sustaining interventions to further curb tobacco consumption and associated harms.

The reduction in smoking prevalence aligns with broader health policies aimed at minimizing the impact of tobacco on public health through increased awareness, regulation, and support for cessation programs.

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