Young adult tobacco use
Three-quarters of people who smoke start before the age of 18.
The largest factors influencing smoking uptake are peer-group smoking, growing up in areas of high deprivation, parents/carers or siblings smoking, low educational attainment, and poor mental health.
Smoking prevalence among young adults in Scotland aged 16-24 increased from 14% in 2019 to 17% in 2022. This trend contrasts with adult smoking prevalence, which decreased two percentage points from 17% to 15%.
The increase in smoking prevalence among young adults might be linked to the increase in e-cigarette use prevalence from 5% in 2019 to 15% in 2022
In 2022, 22% of men aged 16-24 smoked, up from 14% in 2019. In contrast, only 11% of women in this age group smoked in 2022, down from 15% in 2019.
Helping young adults to give up or never start smoking
- Two-thirds of 16-24 year old people who smoke say they would like to stop.
- Young adults are among the least likely to attempt to give up smoking and quit successfully, particularly those living in socio-economically deprived communities.
- Expert stop smoking support provided by NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way service can increase the chances of success by three to four times.
- The UK Government has announced it will re-introduce a UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill which, if it progresses through the parliamentary process, will change the law so that anyone born on or after 1st January 2009 (i.e. children aged 15 or younger in 2024) will never be legally sold tobacco products.
Health impacts of smoking and second-hand smoke
- Tobacco smoke causes cancer and respiratory diseases. Between half to two-thirds of people who smoke and do not quit will be killed by tobacco-related illness.
- Smoking can cause poorer wellbeing, and nicotine cravings can cause anxiety. It is a common misconception that smoking relieves stress, anxiety and low mood. Giving up smoking will improve a person’s health, wellbeing and will reduce exposure to second-hand smoke for those around them.
- Being regularly exposed to indoor tobacco smoke increases a non-smoker’s chances of developing lung cancer by 20-30%.
- Second-hand smoke affects the heart, blood vessels, and blood circulation in a harmful way and, over time, can cause heart disease, strokes or heart attacks.
You can download a PDF file of the 'Young adult tobacco use' factsheet which includes references.
