Smoking rates have fallen more quickly in the north of England compared to other regions, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.
This has helped to narrow significant gaps in smoking prevalence between different areas of the country, with the study suggesting that rates in the north of England are now as low as in the south.
Researchers analysed Smoking Toolkit Study data from 368,057 adults in England between 2006 and 2024. Spanning nearly two decades, the study aimed to examine how smoking rates differed across regions - including areas with and without dedicated tobacco control activity.
The study, funded by Cancer Research UK and published in Addiction, also found that smoking decline had slowed more recently, between 2020 and 2024, and that smoking even appeared to be on the rise in some regions including the South of England.
Over the past 18 years, the study found that:
- The largest - and fastest - fall in smoking was in the north of England where rates nearly halved (28.8% to 15.8%), compared to a fall of around a quarter in the south (22.7% to 17.3%).
- In the region defined as having sustained tobacco control activity (the north east), smoking prevalence fell by -13.3%, compared with -9.3% in regions with none. Researchers note other factors could have also contributed to this difference, including demographic shifts such as changing levels of deprivation.
- Smoking rates fell more in areas with historically higher smoking rates, helping to narrow differences between regions.
Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) said: "Until recently, smoking rates were highest in the north of England, but our study shows that regional differences have narrowed considerably over the past 18 years. Smoking rates fell most in northern regions, where dedicated regional tobacco control programmes have been largely concentrated.
"But across England progress has stalled in recent years, and in some regions smoking rates appear to be increasing. It's vital that stop smoking services are made easily and equally available across the country, so that everyone - wherever they live - can access the right tools to quit for good."
