Smoking and inequalities

There exist many well-known inequalities in smoking prevalence. Survey data has shown that smoking prevalence varies between social groups. Males smoke more than females (15.8% versus 12.1%) and clear gradients are seen by socio-economic deprivation (ranging from 10.9% in the least deprived decile to 17.0% in the most deprived) and age (ranging from 18.9% for age 25-34 years to 7.4% for over 65 years).

 

Statistics on smoking, England, 2019 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-smoking/statistics-on-smoking-england-2019 

Adult smoking habits in Great Britain, 2019  https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2019

ASH - Smoking: health inequalities http://ash.org.uk/information-and-resources/briefings/ash-briefing-health-inequalities-and-smoking/ 

NCSCT Stop Smoking Services and Health Inequalities http://www.ncsct.co.uk/usr/pub/NCSCT_briefing_effect_of_SSS_on_health_inequalities.pdf

Smoking prevalence by sex and deprivation decile (calculated by LSOA) https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/drugusealcoholandsmoking/adhocs/008181smokinginequalitiesinengland2016 

Likelihood of smoking four times higher in England’s most deprived areas than least deprived :

                    - ONS article https://visual.ons.gov.uk/what-affects-likelihood-of-smoking/

                    - video shown in the Knowledge Zone at the PHE Annual Conference

Smoking, drinking and drug use among hard to reach children and young people; an evidence synthesis report 

Smoking prevalence in young adults aged 18 to 34 years https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoking-prevalence-in-young-adults-aged-18-to-34-years

Indicators from the What about YOUth? survey - data previously in this tool can be found here