Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older

Proxy
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This indicator contains some alternative data to those specified by the United Nations (UN). This indicator is the most suitable match currently available.

Sub-categories

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Sub-categories - Sex
Sub-categories - Age
Sub-categories - Country
Sub-categories - Region
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Sub-categories - Socio-economic classification
Sub-categories - Ethnicity
Sub-categories - Country of birth
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Download source data for disaggregations (.csv)

Headline data

Percentage of population aged 18 and over who smoke cigarettes
Year Value Units Series GeoCode Observation status Unit multiplier
2021 13.3 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2020 14.0 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2019 14.1 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2018 14.7 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2017 15.1 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2016 15.8 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2015 17.2 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2014 18.1 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2013 18.8 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2012 19.6 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units
2011 20.2 Percentage (%) Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Normal value Units

Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Geographical Area: United Kingdom

Unit of Measurement: Percentage (%)

For tabular data alternative see Table tab.

Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older Proxy

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  • United Kingdom
Chart details
Source:
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Geographical Area:
United Kingdom
Unit of Measurement:
Percentage (%)

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from UK statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from UK statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other UK-specific metadata information.

Indicator available

Percentage of people who are current cigarette smokers aged 18 years and older
Indicator description

A measure of people who are current cigarette smokers in relation to all persons aged 18 years and older.
Geographical coverage

United Kingdom
Unit of measurement

Percentage (%)
Definitions

Not available for this indicator
Available disaggregations

Sex; Age; Country; Region; Socio-economic classification; Ethnicity; Country of birth
Calculations

No calculations were performed because the data is readily available in the required format from the source.
Other information

Data for additional disaggregations are available in source 1, including data for smoking prevalence in English counties, smoking prevalence in English Clinical Commissioning Groups and Welsh Local Health Boards, smoking prevalence by economic activity, smoking prevalence by relationship status and smoking prevalence by highest educational attainment. Note that smoking prevalence by economic activity is only for ages 18 to 64.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in March 2020, the data collection mode for APS changed from mixed mode (face-to- face, telephone) to telephone only which impacted estimates of the proportion of adults who smoke cigarettes. For more information, see the Adult smoking habits in the UK methodology article.

Other sources of smoking data for the devolved administrations include the National Survey for Wales, the Scottish Health Survey and the Health Survey for England. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey data for Adult smoking habits in Great Britain is also available.

This indicator is being used as an approximation of the UN SDG Indicator. Where possible, we will work to identify or develop UK data to meet the global indicator specification. This indicator has been identified in collaboration with topic experts.

Data last updated 06 April 2023
Metadata last updated 06 April 2023
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