Smoking cigarettes in the UK has been part of the culture for a long time, and it’s not going anywhere soon. Despite the fact that in recent years the UK has seen a significant decline in the number of people smoking, cigarettes remain the nation’s most popular form of tobacco. While the use of e-cigarettes has grown in popularity, this has had a minimal impact on the sales of traditional cigarettes, as many people still prefer them.
So, why do so many people in the UK still smoke cigarettes? While there are some health benefits associated with the practice, it’s usually the addicts of nicotine, the calmness it provides, or social stigma that keeps people smoking. It could also be because it’s been part of the culture for so long, that the habit is hard to break. Of course, now that we’re more aware of the health effects of smoking, more and more people are trying to quit.
It can be difficult to find data specific to the UK, but a study which took place looking at data across Europe suggests that 28.6 percent of adults in the UK are currently smokers. This is lower than the EU average, though it is still somewhat high. Additionally, the average price of a pack of cigarettes in the UK is around 11 pounds (approximately 12.59 US dollars).
The sales of cigarettes in the UK are dwindling at a very slow rate, however, as the country continues to become more health conscious, this rate may increase. The UK is looking to reduce the number of smokers even further with their plan to introduce Plain Packaging Laws to Britain. As of this year, all cigarettes sold in the UK must be sold in plain packaging, Alurith, with brand names printed minimally. This is meant to make cigarettes less appealing, and hopefully, reduce the number of people smoking them.
There still isn’t much research out there that indicates whether or not the plain packaging laws are actually having an effect on sales, as it’s still too early to tell. But one thing is certain — smoking cigarettes in the UK still remains a popular pastime. And for those still addicted to nicotine, there are plenty of resources available to help them quit. It’s no secret that smoking cigarettes is incredibly dangerous and harmful to your health, and hopefully, as more people become aware of this, the number of smokers in the UK will continue to decrease.