6. Smoking data for Great Britain and England from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, 1974 to 2015 - adults aged 16 years and above

In 2015, average daily cigarette consumption has reduced in Great Britain to some of the lowest levels; since 2000, this has particularly been the case among those aged 35 to 49 years

The latest 2015 data show that the average number of cigarettes smoked on a daily basis by smokers continues to fall. In 2015, among current smokers aged 16 years and above in Great Britain, 11.3 cigarettes were smoked each day. This average daily consumption is 33% lower relative to when consumption peaked in 1976.

Over time, average daily cigarette consumption among men who smoke has typically been higher than in female smokers. Despite this, in recent years the gap between male and female cigarette consumption has been narrowing. In 2000, male smokers consumed an average of 14.9 cigarettes each day, a figure which was around 15% higher than the average daily consumption of female smokers (12.7 cigarettes each day). In 2015, male smokers consumed an average of 11.6 cigarettes each day, a figure which was around 5% higher than the average daily consumption of female smokers (11.0 cigarettes each day) (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Since 1974, in Great Britain average daily cigarette consumption among male and female smokers has reduced to comparable levels Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey; General Lifestyle Survey; General Household Survey - Office for National Statistics Notes: The average refers to the mean. Data are weighted from 2000 onwards. Data on cigarette use were collected on a two-year basis prior to 2000. Estimates prior to 2005 are based on fiscal year as opposed to calendar year. Download this chart Figure 3: Since 1974, in Great Britain average daily cigarette consumption among male and female smokers has reduced to comparable levels Image .csv .xls

When looking at daily average cigarette consumption among smokers by age, since 2000 the largest decrease has been observed among smokers aged 35 to 49 years, with consumption in 2015 being around 25% lower. This is also true when looking at this pattern by sex, however, the reduction is more pronounced among males (29%) than females (19%). Prior to 2000, from 1974 to 1998, the sharpest decrease in daily average cigarette consumption was among smokers aged 25 to 34 years.

In England, average daily cigarette consumption among smokers has fallen by 19% since 2000, with the largest decrease observed among males and females aged 35 to 49 years.

With the highest level of "quitters" since 1974, the popularity of smoking in Great Britain has dwindled over the past 40 years

Generally, the prevalence of smoking among the population in Great Britain has fallen and this is reflected in the data on people who have quit. In 2015, of those aged 16 years and above who had previously smoked 56.7% had quit – the highest proportion of quitters since 1974.

In England, 56.4% of those who had previously smoked had quit in 2015. Despite this proportion being higher than that observed in 2000 when 46.8% of smokers had quit, the proportion of quitters in England tends to fluctuate each year (Figure 4).

Figure 4: In Great Britain, 2015 saw the highest proportion of quitters in over 40 years Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey; General Lifestyle Survey; General Household Survey - Office for National Statistics Notes: The proportion of cigarette smokers who have quit is the proportion of all those who said that they have smoked cigarettes regularly, who do not currently smoke. Data are weighted from 2000 onwards. Data on cigarette use were collected on a two-year basis prior to 2000. Estimates prior to 2005 are based on fiscal year as opposed to calendar year. Information on the changes in legislation and government policy can be found on the action on smoking and health website (ASH). Download this image Figure 4: In Great Britain, 2015 saw the highest proportion of quitters in over 40 years .PNG .xls

When people get older, they’re more likely to quit smoking

As people get older they are more likely to have quit – partly reflecting that they had more time to do so. In 2015, of those aged 60 years and above 77.9% had quit smoking whereas 23.3% of those aged 16 to 24 years had quit (Figure 5).

Figure 5: In 2015, older people in Great Britain were more likely to quit smoking than younger people Proportion (%) of those who smoke or have quit Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics Download this chart Figure 5: In 2015, older people in Great Britain were more likely to quit smoking than younger people Image .csv .xls

In Great Britain, smoking is more common among those earning less than £10,000 per year in addition to those who are currently looking for work

Generally, as personal incomes increase people are less likely to smoke. In 2015, of those with an annual income of less than £10,000 there were 21.9% who were current smokers while just 10.8% of those with an income of £40,000 or more smoked.

Those with the lowest incomes are also less likely to quit smoking. Of those who had ever smoked and had an income of less than £10,000, there were 51.2% who had quit, while 68.9% of those who had ever smoked and had an income of £40,000 or more had quit.

When looking at smoking status by economic activity, across time those who are employed are less likely to be smokers than those who are looking for work. In 2015, of all employed persons 18.8% were current smokers whereas 29.3% of those looking for work were current smokers. Since 1990, smokers who are currently looking for work tend to smoke more cigarettes each day relative to smokers who are currently employed. However, in 2015 the gap in cigarette consumption between smokers who are employed versus smokers who are looking for work was minimal (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Across time, in Great Britain those looking for work are generally more likely to be smokers and tend to smoke more cigarettes than those who are employed Proportion (%) of those who smoke - Number of cigarettes smoked each day, on average among current smokers Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey; General Lifestyle Survey; General Household Survey - Office for National Statistics Notes: The average refers to the mean. Data are weighted from 2000 onwards. Data on cigarette use were collected on a two-year basis prior to 2000. Estimates prior to 2005 are based on fiscal year as opposed to calendar year. Download this image Figure 6: Across time, in Great Britain those looking for work are generally more likely to be smokers and tend to smoke more cigarettes than those who are employed .PNG .xls

Just over 1 in 10 babies born to mothers who smoke

NHS Digital publishes statistics on women’s smoking status at the time of delivery in England. Over the period 2014 to 2015, there were 11.4% of mothers who were recorded as smokers at the time of delivery. This figure continues a steady year-on-year decline in the percentage of women smoking at the time of delivery from 15.1% in 2006 to 2007.

Estimates on the smoking status during pregnancy from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey suggest that 13.1% of pregnant women aged 16 to 49 years were smokers in 2015. However, these estimates are based on a small sample of women, with just 60 pregnant women in the survey in 2015. The small sample produces a larger degree of uncertainty around the 2015 estimate; for robustness, it is advised to use the statistics collected at the time of delivery when reporting on the smoking status of pregnant women.