Smoking Prevalence in Great Britain
Male |
Female |
Male & Female |
|
% adult smokers (age 16+) |
|||
|
1980 |
42 |
37 |
39 |
|
1982 |
38 |
33 |
35 |
|
1984 |
36 |
32 |
34 |
|
1986 |
35 |
31 |
33 |
|
1988 |
33 |
30 |
32 |
|
1990 |
31 |
29 |
30 |
|
1992 |
29 |
28 |
28 |
|
1994 |
28 |
26 |
27 |
|
1996 |
29 |
28 |
28 |
|
1998 |
28 |
26 |
27 |
|
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|
1998 |
30 |
26 |
28 |
|
2000 |
29 |
25 |
27 |
|
2001 |
28 |
26 |
27 |
|
2002 |
27 |
25 |
26 |
|
2003 |
28 |
24 |
26 |
|
2004 |
26 |
23 |
25 |
|
2005 |
25 |
23 |
24 |
|
2006 |
23 |
21 |
22 |
|
2007 |
22 |
20 |
21 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
This table shows the prevalence of smoking (cigarettes and/or handrolling tobacco) among those aged 16+ in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) as reported in the General Household Survey. In 2000 the ONS adopted a new methodology and the effect on findings for 1998 is reflected in this table. The latest report, published in January 2009, notes the following about these trends;
"When considering trends in smoking, it is usually assumed that any under-reporting remains constant over time. However, since the prevalence of smoking has fallen, this assumption may not be entirely justified. As smoking has become less acceptable as a social habit, some people may have become less inclined to admit how much they smoke – or, indeed, to admit to smoking at all."
More detailed findings from this survey can be found on the Office for National Statistics website - www.statistics.gov.uk/ghs.