ADULTS
Around 12 million adults smoke cigarettes in Great Britain:
• This is about a quarter of the population.
• 25% of men and 23% of women.
Smoking is highest among 20-24 year olds: 34% of men and 30% of women smoke.
In 1974, 51% of men and 41% of women smoked cigarettes - nearly half the adult population.
Declines in smoking have been concentrated in older people. However, about half of all adults report that they have never smoked.
NUMBERS WHO QUIT
21% of women and 27% of men are now
ex-smokers.
Surveys show that about 70% of current smokers would like to give up altogether.
DEATHS FROM SMOKING
About half of all regular cigarette smokers will eventually be killed by their addiction.
Every year, around 114,000 smokers in the UK die from smoking related causes.
TOBACCO SMOKE CONTAINS
Over 4,000 chemical compounds, present as either gases or as tiny particles.
These include carbon monoxide, arsenic, formaldehyde, cyanide, benzene, toluene and acrolein.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Over 80% of smokers start as teenagers.
In the United Kingdom about 450 children start smoking every day.
In England one fifth of 15 year olds are regular smokers: 16% of boys and 24% of girls.
It is illegal to sell cigarettes to any person under the age of 18.
REGIONAL SMOKING RATES
Smoking rates vary in different parts of the country (defined by the Government Office of the Regions).
• In London and the South East 22% of adults smoke; in the North East the rate is 29%. In England overall 24% of people smoke.
• In Scotland 27% of the population smoke.
• In Wales the rate is 22%.
Smoking rates are markedly higher among poorer people.
In 2005, 16% of men in higher managerial occupations smoked, compared with 34% in routine occupations.
GOVERNMENT REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE
Earned £7,600 million in revenue from tobacco duty (ex VAT) in 2006-07.
Spent £13.5m on education campaigns. Spent £56m to help people stop smoking.
