Introduction

 

ASH Scotland smoking statistics factsheet

The Information Service has compiled a collection of smoking statistics for quick reference, particularly those most relevant to Scotland but also including UK and Worldwide figures for comparison. The document can be downloaded below, and will be updated every six months (next update due Aug/Sept 2010).
 

• ASH Scotland smoking & tobacco statistics factsheet - February 2010 (pdf,514Kb)  
   

In Scotland in 2004 an estimated 13,473 deaths in Scotland were attributed to smoking, which equated to 24% of all deaths.
Source: An Atlas of Tobacco Smoking in Scotland: a report presenting estimated smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths within Scotland.  NHS Health Scotland & ASH Scotland, 2007. Available from: The Scottish Public Health Observatory website [accessed 1st February 2008]

In Scotland over 13,000 people die every year from tobacco use.
Source: Callum C (1998). The UK Smoking Epidemic: Deaths in 1995. The Health Education Authority: London

Adult smoking rates in Scotland have remained consistently higher than in England and Wales. Throughout the 1970's and 1980's, the number of people smoking cigarettes fell sharply but this decline levelled out during the 1990s. Smoking rates among teenagers and young adults are also of concern for health professionals and policy makers, and national targets have been set relating to these. 

These figures reveal some of the costs associated with long term tobacco use - some of them economic costs but mainly the toll on human lives of tobacco related disease and early death.

If you can’t find what you are looking for or if you have any questions relating to tobacco control in Scotland please do not hesitate to contact our free national enquiry service.  E-mail enquiries@ashscotland.org.uk or phone 0131 225 4725.