Key Summary
- The average consumption per smoker each year was 528 cigarettes
- Smoking is higher in disadvantaged areas, with individuals smoking an average of 11 cigarettes daily, compared to 9.4 per day among those in wealthier areas
- Smokers in the northeast and Scotland averaged 11.7 cigarettes each day, while those in London and the southwest smoked 8.4 and 9.5 cigarettes, respectively
Despite many drives against smoking, Britons continue to smoke an estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes each year, or 78 million a day, according to a Cancer Research UK and University College London (UCL) study.
The study draws on data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, a monthly survey of smoking habits among the adult population conducted between 2022 and 2024.
Smoking is higher in disadvantaged areas, with individuals smoking an average of 11 cigarettes daily, compared to 9.4 per day among those in wealthier areas.
It also varies region-wise, with smokers in the northeast and Scotland averaging 11.7 cigarettes a day, while those in London and the southwest smoked 8.4 and 9.5 cigarettes respectively.
The analysis, by researchers at UCL, found that adults who smoked had 10.4 cigarettes per day on average, and 5.5 per cent smoke more than 20 a day.
The average consumption per smoker each year was 528 cigarettes.
Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy, Dr Ian Walker said that while smoking rates have come down, there is no room for complacency.
He feels the Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides an opportunity to end the menace, but is unhappy with the slow progress through the parliament.
The legislation aims to create a ‘smoke-free generation’ by preventing the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively raising the legal smoking age each year.
Dr Sarah Jackson, a research fellow at UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, told The Times that reducing consumption rates could improve public health and help the environment.
She pointed out that 28 billion cigarettes generate up to 140,000 metric tons of toxic, non-biodegradable waste annually.
