Based on surveys with 101,960 adults representative of the population, researchers estimated 16.2% smoked in June 2017, falling to 15.1% by the start of the pandemic, in March 2020, but just 15% in August 2022, since when the the slower rate of decline has remained consistent.
The decrease in smoking rates has stalled since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic as more young people take up the habit, according to research.
Published in the British Medical Journal, the study analysed nearly 200,000 participants in England during three periods; before the pandemic (2017–19), during lockdown (March to August 2020), and after local restrictions were in place (September to November 2020).
The authors found that the prevalence of smoking had fallen among participants born between 1970 and 1990, from 14.5% in the pre-Covid period to 13.6% during the first lockdown. However, the prevalence of smoking was slightly higher after local restrictions were in place (14.3%), suggesting a slight increase in smoking during the pandemic.
Conversely, there was an increase in smoking among participants born between 1991 and 2000 during the pandemic: from 8.5% before Covid to 10.1% during the first lockdown, and 10.4% afterwards.
The authors concluded that the Covid-19 pandemic has stalled the decline of smoking in England, particularly among young people. They warned that policies to reduce smoking should be urgently devised to ensure the downward trend is not reversed, particularly since smoking is associated with an increased risk of Covid-19 complications.
Other research has shown that smoking, as well as having a direct impact on health, also negatively impacts mental health and can affect how well one copes with stress, which has been a notable feature of the pandemic. It is therefore particularly important that those who are smoking, or considering taking up the habit, understand and further appreciate the possible consequences of smoking.
