Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): smoking data

This section presents some data on long term trends in smoking in Scotland, which are particularly relevant to COPD. More recent and more detailed information on smoking is available in the tobacco use section of this site. 

Long term UK smoking trends

Chart 1 shows the trends in the smoking of manufactured cigarettes in Great Britain, based on data from the Tobacco Advisory Council (1948-1970), the General Household Survey (1972-2007) and the Annual Population Survey (2011-2023). In 1948 65% of men and 41% of women in Great Britain smoked manufactured cigarettes. Whilst female smoking rates were relatively stable, male smoking fell gradually until the late 1970s, at which time smoking rates fell rapidly in both genders for approximately two decades with the male rate converging on the female rate. Smoking rates remain slightly higher in males than females. In 2023, it was estimated that 10% of women smoked compared to 14% of men. 

Long term Scottish smoking trends

Chart 2 shows the decline in smoking rates in men and women, based on data from the General Household Survey (2000-2007) and the Scottish Health Survey (2008-2023). In 2000, 30% of adults in Scotland were current smokers, compared to 13% of women and 16% of men in 2023. Smoking rates remain higher in Scotland than in the UK as a whole. However, it should be noted that the Scottish Health Survey includes participants aged 16 and over compared to the UK Annual Population Survey, which includes participants aged 18 and over. 

More information on smoking trends including breakdowns by council area and health board can be found in the ScotPHO Profiles Tool.