England: significant increase in the number of young smokers since 2019

A significant increase in smoking among young people (aged 18-24) in England during the pandemic has reversed a 40-year decline in smoking prevalence, according to the ‘Make Smoking History’ study which examines the impact of the pandemic on smoking rates in England.[1]The report predicts an additional 600,000 smokers in England by 2022.

If the projection of 600,000 additional smokers in the Make Smoking History report is correct, it will be "virtually impossible" for the government to meet its target. of a tobacco-free England by 2030 unless it takes radical and immediate action, particularly to reduce youth smoking. Modelling has projected that by 2030, the overall proportion of adults (18+) who smoke is expected to reach 7.1%, with the target of 5% now not being reached until 2033.

Currently, nearly 75,000 people die prematurely each year in England as a result of smoking and for every person who dies from smoking, at least 30 others are living with a serious smoking-related illness.[2]Every year, local authorities in England spend £1.2 billion on home and residential medical care alone for tobacco-related illnesses.[3]-[4].

Significant increase in prevalence among young adults

This estimate of 600,000 additional smokers by 2022 is explained by the significant increase in young smokers since 2019. The latest study on smoking published in April 2021 shows that the proportion of smokers among 18-24 year-olds increased from 24.3% in 2019, to 33% in 2020 and 31.8% in the first quarter of 2021.

At the same time, these increases were marked by an increase in the number of people who quit or tried to quit smoking. Just over 4% of adult smokers quit smoking in 2019, 8% in 2020 and 11% in the first quarter of 2021. For quit attempts, 29% tried to quit in 2019, 36% in 2020 and 37.6% for the first quarter of 2021. This combination of an increase in prevalence and an increase in quitting/attempts to quit suggests an increase in the number of previously non-smokers who started using traditional cigarettes during this period.

The study says the increase is because young people have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic and many have taken up smoking to cope with the stress of unemployment and poorer mental health.

Rapid action needed to achieve target of a smoke-free England by 2030

The UK Government’s 2030 target will only be met if proven national measures are robustly implemented. The pandemic has not only exposed underlying health inequalities in England but has also led to a slowdown in the progress made in recent years, so rapid action is now needed. The Government must ensure it meets its July 2021 deadline for a new plan to stop smoking to achieve its target. This new plan should include a new national campaign to help people quit smoking, as well as targeted messages, resources and support for people looking to quit,

According to the authors of the study, it is essential to strengthen tobacco control measures at both national and local levels. Some regions in the north of the country currently have prevalence rates four or five times higher than the 5% pursued and these local variations constitute a major obstacle to the overall achievement of the target.

Keywords: United Kingdom, England, Smoking, young people, pandemic, study, Tobacco Free Generation, 2030

©Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] Future Health, Make Smoking History: Getting back on track to eliminate smoking after the pandemic, published May 2021, https://www.futurehealth-research.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Make-Smoking-History-170521.pdf[2] Statistics on Smoking, England 2020, Official statistics, National statistics, NHS, 8 December 2020, accessed 18 May 2021[3] Action for Smoking and Health, Over 1.5 million people need social care because of smoking, March 23, 2021, accessed May 18, 2021[4] Generation Without Tobacco, England: Cost of premature smoker care strains local services, March 24, 2021, accessed May 18, 2021National Committee Against Smoking |