More than 300,000 UK smokers have quit due to Covid-19 fears

At least 300,000 Britons have successfully quit smoking and a further 550,000 have tried to quit, while 2.4 million Britons have cut down. These estimates are based on results from the UK arm of YouGov’s international COVID-19 Tracker.[1] in collaboration with the non-governmental organization Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). This follows growing concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19) and the increased risk to smokers.[2].

One Bristol GP who recognised the growing concerns of his patients who smoke was Dr Charlie Kenward who launched the #QuitforCOVID campaign last month on [3]Twitter, he has since been supported by the Smokefree Action Coalition and respiratory clinicians.

For Dr. Kenward, " There has never been a better time to quit smoking and with so many resources available to support you, I urge people to take control of their health and quit smoking today.”

In addition to the increased risks from the virus, quitting smoking improves people's heart and lung health. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing cancer and improves wound healing after surgery.[4].

The survey – the first in the UK – shows how coronavirus is affecting smokers' attitudes towards smoking, significantly increasing smokers' motivation to quit and not relapse:

- 2% of ex-smokers report having completely quit, recently due to COVID-19. This equates to approximately 300,000 people[5].

- A quarter of ex-smokers say the COVID-19 outbreak is deterring them from starting to smoke again[6].

- 8% of current smokers have tried to quit smoking because of the virus. This equates to around 550,000 smokers in the UK[7]. However, attempts to stop are part of the process of final stopping.

- 36% of Britons have reduced their consumption. This is equivalent to around 2.4 million smokers[8].

- 27% of smokers say they are more likely to quit smoking for this same reason[9].

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), which worked with YouGov on the survey, said:

“ COVID-19 has made people more health conscious, and for smokers that means quitting. This survey shows that COVID-19 has increased many smokers’ desire to quit. It is important that healthcare professionals are still able to offer them the support they need to give them the best chance of doing so. »

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