The fight against smoking has come a long way in the UK, but recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) serves as a stark reminder that the battle is far from over. In their 2023 report on adult smoking habits in Great Britain, the statistics reveal concerning trends that demand immediate attention from public health advocates, industry leaders, and policymakers alike. For Riot, a company devoted to helping smokers quit through effective harm reduction alternatives like vaping, these numbers are both a call to action and a powerful reminder that the mission to eradicate smoking is still ongoing.
Progress Made, But Not Enough
The ONS report highlights a continued decline in smoking prevalence in Great Britain, with the overall proportion of current smokers among adults aged 18 years and over dropping to 13.3% in 2022. This is a continuation of the downward trend seen over the past decade, signaling progress towards a smoke-free future. However, despite the decline, this still translates to millions of individuals who remain hooked on smoking—a figure that poses a significant public health challenge.
Furthermore, smoking rates are far from uniform across different regions and demographics. The report shows that smoking rates are higher in the more deprived areas of Great Britain, with lower-income households continuing to bear the brunt of smoking-related health issues. This geographic and socio-economic disparity highlights the deeply entrenched nature of smoking in certain segments of society, where addiction is reinforced by financial and social stressors. For us at Riot, this is a critical area where harm reduction strategies like vaping can play an even more vital role.
Concerning Trends Among Young Adults
One of the most alarming aspects of the report is the resurgence of smoking among certain age groups, particularly young adults. Smoking prevalence among those aged 18 to 24 increased slightly from 11.6% in 2021 to 12.3% in 2022. This is concerning because younger generations are supposed to be the key demographic for smoking cessation initiatives. Yet, these numbers indicate that smoking is not only persisting but growing among younger adults, potentially reversing years of public health progress.
This rise could be attributed to a variety of factors—peer pressure, stress, and the accessibility of cigarettes remain challenges for this age group. It also underscores the need for more effective youth-targeted harm reduction campaigns that emphasize the benefits of switching to less harmful alternatives, such as vaping. With the UK aiming for a smoke-free future by 2030, these upticks in smoking among young adults are an urgent red flag.
The Gender Gap in Smoking Habits
Another finding from the ONS report is the persistent gender gap in smoking habits. Men are still more likely to smoke than women, with 15.1% of men reported as smokers in 2022 compared to 11.6% of women. While the smoking rate for both genders has declined over the years, the gap remains. Understanding this disparity is crucial for developing gender-specific strategies that effectively target and reduce smoking rates across the board. For instance, marketing vaping products as a more viable alternative to smoking may need to be tailored differently for men and women to maximize impact.
Vaping as a Tool for Harm Reduction
For Riot, the ONS report reinforces the critical role that vaping can and must play in reducing smoking rates across the UK. Despite ongoing debates and misinformation about vaping, it remains one of the most effective tools for helping smokers quit. The Royal College of Physicians, Public Health England, and other prominent health organizations have consistently stated that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. For current smokers, switching to vaping is one of the most effective ways to significantly reduce the risks associated with smoking.
Yet, the ONS report shows that the uptake of vaping among smokers is not growing fast enough to drive the necessary reduction in smoking prevalence. While the report does not delve into specific numbers for vaping, the overall picture suggests that millions of smokers are still not making the switch. This is where Riot comes in—our mission is to disrupt the market with innovative products that appeal to smokers and encourage them to transition away from cigarettes.
The challenge ahead is twofold: first, to ensure that accurate information about the benefits of vaping reaches current smokers, and second, to dismantle the barriers—whether regulatory, social, or cultural—that prevent people from making the switch. The prevalence of misinformation surrounding vaping, fueled by biased media coverage and public health skepticism, only serves to prolong the smoking epidemic. We need to confront these issues head-on, using data and real-world evidence to debunk myths and promote vaping as a legitimate harm reduction tool.
Addressing Regional and Socio-Economic Disparities
The ONS report highlights the stark contrast in smoking rates across different regions and socio-economic groups. In the most deprived areas of England, smoking prevalence is significantly higher than in more affluent regions. For example, in the North East of England, the smoking rate was 16.3%, while in London, it was just 11.1%. These disparities underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by people in deprived areas.
Riot is committed to breaking down these barriers by ensuring that vaping is accessible and affordable to everyone, regardless of where they live or their financial circumstances. Our goal is to provide smokers with a viable, cost-effective alternative to cigarettes, making it easier for them to quit smoking for good.
The Battle Ahead: Combating Smoking and Misinformation
The ONS report is a sobering reminder that, despite the progress made in reducing smoking rates, there is still much work to be done. Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in the UK, and millions of people continue to struggle with nicotine addiction. The battle to eradicate smoking is far from over, and it is more important than ever to support harm reduction strategies like vaping.
However, this battle is not just about providing alternatives; it is also about fighting the pervasive misinformation surrounding vaping. The media’s focus on the risks of vaping, often without context or comparison to smoking, creates unnecessary fear and confusion. This, in turn, discourages smokers from making the switch to a less harmful alternative. Riot is committed to setting the record straight, ensuring that smokers are armed with the facts they need to make informed decisions about their health.
Our Fight Continues
The ONS report offers a mixed picture—while smoking rates are declining overall, concerning trends persist, particularly among younger adults and in disadvantaged areas. For Riot, this data is a call to action. We are not content to sit back and watch the numbers slowly decrease over time. We believe in actively driving change through innovation, advocacy, and education.
Our mission remains clear: to help every smoker quit, one vape at a time. We stand firm in our commitment to providing high-quality, effective vaping products that offer smokers a lifeline in their journey toward quitting. The road ahead may be long, but with dedication, perseverance, and the right tools, we believe a smoke-free Britain is within reach. The battle isn’t over yet, but together, we can win it.
SOURCE: ONS - Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2023
