While more and more people are making the switch to vaping, the costs of smoking are still being felt throughout the UK. We explore the heavy cost of smoking for the NHS and for the UK in general in this informative blog.
How many people still smoke in the UK?
Recent figures released by ASH show that just over one in 10 people in the UK smoke. While the number of smokers has been decreasing over the years, 10.6% of adults continued to smoke in 2024. This represents around 5.3 million people.
ONS statistics show that those aged 25 to 34 years continued to have the highest proportion of current smokers (12.6%) and that those aged 18 to 24 years have had the largest reduction in smoking prevalence, down from 25.7% in 2011 to 8.1% in 2024.
Their Opinions and Lifestyle Survey also revealed that the number of people vaping daily overtook the number of people smoking daily for the first time in 2024.
While this represents an important shift, there are still a sizable number of people smoking on a daily basis (9.1%, or 4.2 million) in the UK.
What smoking costs the NHS each year
Smoking costs the NHS a significant amount of money every year. According to the ASH Ready Reckoner, the cost of smoking to the NHS in England is estimated to be £1.8 billion a year. The cost of smoking covers not only hospital admissions but also factors such as social care.
ASH Scotland also reports that more than £1.5 billion of NHS, social care and fire service costs could be saved in Scotland if the Government took steps to reduce smoking. The total cost of smoking to Scotland is projected to reach £2.5 billion by 2035/36 and Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of health charity ASH Scotland, says that: “tobacco continues to be the biggest preventable killer in Scotland.”
Why does smoking cost the NHS so much?
The cost of smoking can be broken down into a few different factors:
- The cost of illnesses and diseases that lead to hospital admissions
- The cost of ongoing treatment and care
The cost of smoking has a large impact on the NHS, both in terms of budget and availability. For example, in 2023 Cancer Research UK reported that ending smoking could recover up to 75,000 GP appointments each month in England.
What is the wider impact of smoking in the UK?
Smoking affects more than just the NHS. There are a variety of other areas that are directly impacted by smoking.
Workplace
From small adjustments like smoke breaks to larger issues such as lost productivity due to illness caused by smoking, there are many ways the habit can affect workplaces. ASH estimates that there is a £14 billion loss to productivity per year. This impact on the economy is caused by smoking related lost earnings, unemployment, and early death.
Social care
Smoking also places a substantial burden on the social care system. On average, smokers need care 10 years earlier than they would have if they did not smoke. They also often need to access this care while still of working age, which can further affect overall productivity.
The price of smoking
Smoking is an expensive habit, and the price of cigarettes can have an impact on the finances of smokers. For example, ASH Scotland estimates that a smoker going through a pack of 20 cigarettes a day will spend £5,569 per year, based on the 2024 average price of cigarettes. You can find out more about how much smoking costs in our breakdown of the annual costs of smoking and vaping.
Cost to the fire service
It is also important to consider the cost to the UK’s fire service, which is impacted by call outs to fires that have been started due to cigarettes. At the start of 2025, ASH revealed that smoking cost the UK £332 million in fire-related costs.
What happens when people stop smoking?
Giving up smoking can have a lot of positive outcomes, from improving health to saving money. A few huge benefits include:
Better health
The best news about giving up smoking is the fact that it is never too late to quit. From the way that oxygen levels improve after only eight hours without a cigarette to the improvements in circulation that occur in the first two to 12 weeks, there are substantial benefits to stopping smoking.
In fact, after only one year, your risk of heart attack will have halved compared to that of a smoker’s. Once you have given up smoking for 10 years, your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved too.
Savings for the NHS
By giving up smoking, you will also be helping to reduce the pressure on the NHS. If everyone in the UK gave up smoking, it could save billions in health and social care – thanks to a reduction in everything from urgent appointments to ongoing illnesses and care.
Cost savings
Quitting cigarettes can also help individuals save quite a substantial amount of money. Making the switch from smoking to vaping can also be a more cost-effective option, as well as a less harmful one.
Switch to vaping with Evapo
If you are considering making the switch from smoking to vaping, we are here to help. Not only do we offer a huge range of different products, but we can also offer the expert advice you need to choose the vape kits that are right for you. Find out more in our guide to making the switch to vaping, as well as our article on how vape flavours can help smokers switch. Alternatively, pay a visit to your local Evapo store – our expert team will be happy to offer help and advice and our NCSCT stop smoking certified practitioners can offer support and guidance.
Conclusion
Smoking has a high cost for both individuals and for society as a whole. From the price of a pack of cigarettes to the pressure smoking related illnesses put on the NHS and the wider economy, the effects are wide ranging.
Here at Evapo, it is our mission to help adults make the switch from smoking to vaping, through quality products, trusted expertise and advice. Whether in-store or online, our customer service team is happy to answer any questions or queries you have about switching to vaping.
Sources:
Ash.org.uk – 01/11/2025
ONS.gov.uk – 04/11/2025
Ashscotland.org.uk – 04/12/2025
News.cancerresearchuk.org – 07/03/2024
Ash.org.uk - 16/05/2023
Ash.org.uk – 01/03/2021
Ash.org.uk – 16/01/2025
NHS.uk – 22/01/2026 (last checked)
