# UK smoking and vaping prevalence trends

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-smoking-and-vaping-prevalence-trends
> Updated: 2026-10-16T23:49:16.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that adult smoking prevalence in the United Kingdom fell below 10% for the first time in 2025, with approximately 9.8% of the population smoking cigarettes. This follows a long-term decline from 20.2% in 2011. 

During this period, vaping prevalence has exceeded smoking prevalence for two consecutive years. While vaping was initially used as a tool to assist smokers in quitting, recent trends indicate that more than one million people in the UK who have never smoked cigarettes are now using vapes. 

Health officials note that while nicotine vaping is less harmful than traditional cigarettes, the long-term health effects of vaping remain unclear. These shifts in usage occur ahead of upcoming UK tobacco regulations, including a smoke-free generation law scheduled for January 1, 2027.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: UK vaping rates rise among non-smokers

Over one million people in the UK who have never smoked cigarettes are now vaping, according to ONS data, as the habit becomes increasingly common among non-smokers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-vaping-rates-rise-among-non-smokers

### 2026-10-08: UK adult smoking rates fall below 10% for the first time

UK adult smoking rates fell below 10% in 2025 for the first time, while vaping prevalence continues to exceed cigarette smoking levels.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-adult-smoking-rates-fall-below-10-for-the-first-time

---
Cite as: UK smoking and vaping prevalence trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-smoking-and-vaping-prevalence-trends