Smoking levels in Wales vary widely across different areas, with new data revealing the place in Wales with the highest number of smokers. Despite a decline in smoking nationwide, there are still parts of the country where a significant proportion of adults smoke. The latest official figures show that around six million people in the UK were smokers in 2023, equating to just over one in nine adults (11.9%). This marks a considerable decrease from the smoking rate of 20.2% twelve years ago. Notably, the drop among 18-24-year-olds has been even more pronounced, falling from 25.7% to 9.8%.
Statistics for each of the 22 counties in Wales provide insight into smoking habits in different regions. Merthyr Tydfil has the highest smoking rate in Wales, with 17% of adults smoking as of 2023, down from 25.6% in 2012. Rhondda Cynon Taf follows closely with 16.6% smokers, a decrease from 27.3%. The data highlights a downward trend in smoking rates across Wales, with counties like Powys reporting a significant drop from 18% to 5.8%.
In comparison to Wales, the East Midlands area of South Holland has the highest proportion of smokers in the UK at over one quarter (26.3%) of adults. The national trend indicates a shift towards e-cigarette use, with almost one in ten people aged 16 or over (9.8%) being either daily or occasional e-cigarette users, a notable increase from 3.7% in 2014.
As part of efforts to reduce smoking rates, the legal age to purchase tobacco will incrementally increase every year from 2027 onwards. This means individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, will never reach the legal age to buy tobacco. The rising popularity of vaping is evident, particularly among Generation Z, with 15.8% of individuals aged 16 to 24 vaping in 2023 compared to just 1.4% in 2014.
While smoking continues to decline in Wales, the use of e-cigarettes is on the rise, signalling a shift in tobacco consumption habits among the population. Efforts to further reduce smoking rates and promote healthier alternatives like vaping are becoming increasingly important to public health initiatives.