Brits smoking average of 78 million cigarettes a day

An estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes are smoked in Britain each year, the equivalent of 78 million a day, according to new analysis.

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There are particularly high levels of consumption in more disadvantaged areas, with researchers calling for targeted public health efforts to tackle smoking rates.

Charities warned the “staggering figure” is a “stark reminder of the deadly toll of inaction”, and urged the Government to prioritise the Tobacco and Vapes Bill after Parliament's summer recess.

The Cancer Research UK study, carried out by experts at University College London (UCL), used monthly Smoking Toolkit Study data from between 2022 and 2024.

The analysis estimates adults who smoked consumed an average of 10.4 cigarettes per day, with 5.5% of those smoking more than 20 a day.

Average consumption per smoker per year was 528 cigarettes, equating to 28.6 billion per year.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data suggests 11.9% adults in the UK – the equivalent of six million people – smoked in 2023, the lowest proportion since current records began in 2011.

However, England could struggle to meet its smokefree target of 5% by 2030 if current trends continue, according to Cancer Research UK, with projections suggesting it may not be met until 2039.