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Once widespread, smoking is now uncommon in Great Britain 🧵

In the 1970s, half of men and 40% of women over the age of 16 reported smoking cigarettes. Since then, smoking rates have steadily fallen. By 2023, this was just 12% of men and 10% of women.

This dramatic decline is the result of decades of efforts such as clear warnings on cigarette packs, bans on tobacco advertising, indoor smoking restrictions, and support to help quit. Newer technologies — including vaping products, nicotine patches & medications — have also helped many people quit.

US cigarettes sales are now dropping 10% per year according to Goldman Sachs. A few years ago, that was 5%/year. The historical trend from the last 1960s to 10 years ago was 2% per year. 1/2 ⬇️

Despite this, smoking remains the leading risk factor for preventable death in the UK, raising the risk of many cancers, heart attacks, and strokes. Fewer smokers means fewer people suffering from these serious diseases.