Smoking has an enormous influence on the health of people in Scotland. Despite recent reductions in smoking levels, and early evidence of the positive impact this has on people's health, there are still relatively high levels of smoking in Scotland, particularly amongst certain groups of individuals. It is particularly important to reduce levels of smoking amongst the young, the deprived and pregnant women.
Smoking-uptake is influenced by a variety of social and cultural factors. So, if we are to reduce smoking levels, we need a comprehensive, broad-based, multi-agency programme of action, as set out in the Scottish Government's tobacco action plan 'A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland' (2004) and the smoking prevention action plan "Scotland's Future is Smoke-free" (2008).
This involves a number of key issues. Firstly, making cigarettes and other tobacco products less available through, for example, effective enforcement of tobacco sales law. Secondly, making it less attractive, particularly to children and young people. This can be achieved through measures to ban advertising and promotion of tobacco and smoking in public places, and measures to educate and promote healthy lifestyles. We can also make cigarettes less affordable through, for example, effective fiscal policy. We must also, of course, have the support mechanisms in place to help smokers to quit.
The strategic framework for tobacco is set out in “Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation A Tobacco Control Strategy for Scotland” which announces the Scottish Government’s ambition for a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034 (defined by smoking prevalence of less than 5%). This builds on previous strategies: 'A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland' (2004), 'Better Health, Better Care' (2007) and Scotland's Future is Smoke-free published in May 2008. Taken together, these set out a range of measures to shift cultural attitudes to smoking, particularly through: smoke-free legislation; bans on the display of tobacco in shops and a ban of sale through automatic vending machines, continued investment in tobacco control activity, including over £15m a year on smoking cessation services and measures to stop young people smoking in the first place.
Smoking among adults has declined from a level of 28% in 2003 to 21% in 2016. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2015 and 2016 prevalence rates.
The data is available at the bottom of the page.
Smoking prevalence varies by age, and in 2016 was highest among those aged 25-54 (24-29%) and lowest among those aged 75 and over (7%). The largest change between 2003 and 2016 was seen in the 25-34 year old group (decrease of 13 percentage points), while there has been no change in the 45-54 year old group since 2003.
More men than women smoke (23 per cent, compared to 20 per cent), while rates are significantly higher in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least deprived.
The data is available at the bottom of the page.
Any difference within +/- 2 percentage points of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease by 2 percentage points or more suggests the position is improving; an increase by 2 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening.
Please note: The new criteria for recent change is based on the difference required for a statistically significant change. Please see technical note for explanation of change of source.
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Local Authorities
NHS Scotland
Healthier
Wealthier and Fairer