Smoking prevalence, vaping laws, snus in Great Britain

In Great Britain the prevalence of current smoking in the general population has decreased from 20% in 2011 to 16.8% in 2017. During the same period, men's smoking prevalence decreased from 21% to 18.7%, and women's current smoking decreased from 18.8% to 15%. The data on smoking habits in Great Britain were collected by the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) – an omnibus survey run by the Office for national Statistics. The survey is run monthly and includes adults aged 16 years and above.

Great Britain comprises England, Scotland and Wales, and is part of the UK - as such it abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). E-cigarettes may be brought to market either as medicines or as consumer products. One e-cigarette product has been licensed to be prescribed through the National Health Service as a medicine, and it is not currently available on the market. E-cigarettes sold as consumer products are regulated under the UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (SI 2016 no. 507). This covers all of the UK, however devolved nations may choose to apply greater restrictions. Manufacturers must provide detailed information regarding all new e-cigarette products to the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Advertising is allowed on billboards but not on TV and radio. Legally, there are no restrictions on where you can vape, but companies, public transport and public buildings implement their own restrictions. E-cigarettes are subject to a 20% Value Added Tax (VAT); however, if they are regulated as medicines, a 5% tax is levied instead. No 'medicinal' products are currently available.

There are no comments specific to snus in Great Britain in the database.

There are no comments specific to heated tobacco products in Great Britain in the database.

There are no comments specific to nicotine replacement therapy in Great Britain in the database.