There are approximately 6.7 million current smokers in United Kingdom
13.6% of men are current smokers but only 10.1% of women
As of 2022, the prevalence of adult smoking in the United Kingdom was recorded at 12.9%, according to the Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics. This figure represents a decrease from the 14.3% prevalence noted in 2020. Specifically, the prevalence among males was 14.6% in 2022, down from 16.2% in 2020, while among females, it stood at 11.2% in 2022, a decrease from 12.5% in 2020. The total number of current smokers in 2022 was estimated at approximately 6.4 million, showing a decline from the 7.9 million recorded in 2020. These statistics reflect ongoing efforts and public health initiatives aimed at reducing smoking rates across the UK. Regulatory measures, such as increased taxation on tobacco products and public smoking bans, have contributed to this downward trend, aligning with the broader global aim to decrease tobacco consumption as outlined by the World Health Organization.
Annual deaths linked to tobacco smoking in United Kingdom total 75,848.
The estimated size of the NRT market is 165.4 million €.
In the United Kingdom, e-cigarettes are allowed and regulated under national tobacco and nicotine product laws. However, recent legislation bans the supply, offer to supply, and possession for supply of disposable or single-use e-cigarettes. Health benefit claims promoting e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids are permitted, provided they are evidence-based and compliant with relevant regulations. Advertising of these products is allowed but strictly regulated. E-cigarettes can be legally purchased online and are commonly available in general retail outlets. Currently, there are no excise taxes levied on e-cigarette products in the UK.
The United Kingdom has a comprehensive regulatory framework around e-cigarettes. Based on that, product notifications are required before market entry, and child-resistant, tamper-proof containers are mandatory. Additionally, health warnings must appear on all packaging, and sales are restricted to individuals aged 18 years and above. E-liquids should not exceed a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/ml, and tank sizes are limited to 2 ml or less. While there are no restrictions on flavour range, vaping in public places is regulated and subject to local policies.
In terms of prevalence, approximately 4.5 million people were reported to be current vapers in the UK as of 2022. The adult current vaping prevalence was estimated to be 10.4% in 2025. In 2023, 8.3% of adult women and 11% of adult men were reported to be current vapers. An estimated 2.9 million adults were daily vapers as of 2022, representing an adult daily vaping prevalence of 5.2%. Daily vaping prevalence was 3.5% among females and 6.4% among males in 2021. In 2020 in a survey, 14.2% of respondents in the UK stated that they had ever tried e-cigarettes.
In the United Kingdom (UK), Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) are regulated as tobacco products and are allowed for sale and use including sales through online channels. HTPs are also available in general retail stores. The law does not allow health benefit claims about these products and requires health warnings on their packaging. Notably, no restrictions exist on their flavours.
Data show that there were an estimated 496,252 adult users of HTPs in the UK in 2020, representing a current prevalence of HTP use of 0.9%. The daily prevalence of HTP use was 0.4% in 2020. In the same year, 5% of respondents to a survey stated that they had ever tried HTPs.
Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper
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September 11, 2026 by vapingpost.com
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