Facts, statistics and information briefings
There are just over 7,000 smoking-attributable deaths and over 75,000 smoking-related hospital admissions every year in Scotland.
Click on the button below to access ASH Scotland's Smoking and Vaping Statistics for the most up-to-date figures.
Smoking statistics by NHS health board and local authority
We also have statistical profiles for each health board and local authority in Scotland which includes smoking rates, info on health, pregnancy and success rates for quitting.
Information briefings
Explore our briefings on smoking and health. Here you can dive into the issues surrounding smoking and its impact on health and society. From the cost of smoking to its effects on mental health, pregnancy, and young people, you can find information and insights in our evidence-based briefings.
Whether you're a policymaker, health professional, or simply looking for information on smoking, explore our briefings to stay informed.
Smoking in Scotland
In Scotland 14% of adults are current smokers 16% of men and 12% of women smoke Smoking rates Smoking rates have dropped significantly from 52% in 1974 to 28% in 2003 and 17% in 2019. The most recent figure from the Scottish Health Survey reveals the smoking prevalence was 14% in 2025. 1.6% of 13-year-olds…
Smoking prevalence in Scotland by demographic
Welcome to our briefing on smoking prevalence broken down by various demographics in Scotland. This data comes from the Scottish Government Scottish Survey Core Questions published in 2026, with data collected in 2024. We’ve taken the data and created graphs of the following demographics Deprivation Housing Tenure Qualification Rural/Urban divide Limiting health condition Economic Activity…
Smoking and Dementia Risk
Welcome to our briefing on smoking and dementia. While some changes in thinking and memory happen with age, dementia, which is associated with the ongoing decline of brain functioning, is not an inevitable part of ageing. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, followed by vascular dementia. There are around 90,000 people in…
Smoking and the Economy in Scotland
Smoking is expensive and harmful to health and also the economy. The cost of smoking to the NHS, increased social care needs, lost productivity within the workforce due to ill health and early death far outweighs the income the UK Government receives through tax and duty. The societal and economic damage caused by tobacco in…
Tobacco, alcohol and drugs harms
Welcome to our briefing exploring the impact tobacco has on alcohol and drug harms. Introduction to tobacco, alcohol and drug harms Cigarette smoking by people who misuse substances is a significant health risk within a cohort whose health may already be compromised. Smoking rates among people with alcohol or substance use addictions are significantly higher…
Scotland’s Key Tobacco Control Dates
Welcome to our briefing on the key dates of tobacco control in Scotland over the last 20 years. Read more about what legislation came in to place and when, such as the smoke-free legislation and a ban on smoking in prisons. Adult smoking prevalence alongside key tobacco control dates in Scotland over the last 20…
Heated Tobacco Products
Welcome to our briefing on heated tobacco products. Keep reading to learn more about these devices, also known as heat-not-burn, tobacco-heating-system or tobacco vaporisers, and find out how the products are on the rise in the UK. What are heated tobacco products? Heated tobacco products – also known as heat-not-burn, tobacco-heating-system or tobacco vaporisers –…
Young People, Mental Health and Smoking
Welcome to our briefing that explores the link between mental health and smoking for young people. Introduction to smoking and mental health There are strong links between smoking and mental health issues, often starting during childhood or adolescence and increasing with age. Smoking and mental health share risk factors including adverse childhood experiences and those…
Smoking and Oral Health
Welcome to our briefing on smoking and oral health. Keep reading to find out how smoking effects the teeth and mouth, from gum disease to cancer. Smoking and oral health in Scotland Across the general population in Scotland in 2022, one in 10 people had a toothache or mouth pain in the last month, and…
Smoking and pregnancy
Welcome to our briefing on smoking and pregnancy. Here you will find information about the heath risks of smoking during pregnancy, facts and statistics about smoking and pregnancy in Scotland, and cessation options available to pregnant women. Health risks associated with smoking during pregnancy Smoking increases the risks of a number of pregnancy-related illnesses and…
Nicotine pouches
Welcome to our briefing on nicotine pouches and snus. Keep reading to find out the difference between nicotine pouches and snus, learn about health harms posed and find figures on the prevalence in the UK. We also spotlight the use of nicotine pouches in sport, and how nicotine pouches are regulated in the UK. Nicotine…
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…
Smoking and health inequalities in Scotland
Welcome to our briefing on smoking and health inequalities in Scotland. To understand some of the terms we use to describe inequalities, please read this section on how deprivation is described and measured in Scotland. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) is a relative measure of deprivation across 6,976 small areas. If an area…
Smoking and mental health
Welcome to our briefing on smoking and mental health. A health inequalities gap that needs to be urgently addressed People with mental health and substance misuse issues smoke more cigarettes per day, are more addicted to nicotine and, although they are just as likely to want to give up smoking as others who smoke, they…
Cost of smoking
Welcome to our briefing on the cost of smoking. Find out how much it costs to smoke below. How much do people smoke? In Scotland, people who smoke use an average of 11.3 cigarettes a day. This figure has steadily declined over the years. The average in 2003 was 15.3 cigarettes a day.  People from the…
Smoking and LGBTQ+ communities
Welcome to our briefing on smoking and LGBTQ+ communities. The tobacco industry has a history of predatory marketing of tobacco products targeting marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ people, which perpetuates economic and/or health inequities. Evidence shows higher rates of smoking and tobacco product use by LGBTQ+ people compared to the general population. The total size of…
Vaping and e-cigarettes
Welcome to our briefing on vaping and e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid into a vapour, which is then inhaled by the user. Liquids often contain nicotine and other chemicals, including flavourings mixed with a carrier liquid of propylene glycol or glycerine. There is a wide range of devices, rechargeable and refillable…
If you can't find the facts and statistics that you are looking for, please email a request to research@ashscotland.org.uk