Home / Health / Hull's Smoking Rate Soars Amid National Decline
Hull's Smoking Rate Soars Amid National Decline
20 Oct
Summary
- Hull's adult smoking rate hit 19.5% in 2025, the highest nationally.
- England's overall smoking rate fell to 9.5% due to government action.
- New legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation by 2009 birth year.
In 2025, Hull recorded an adult smoking rate of 19.5%, the highest in the country and an increase from 16.6% in 2023. This local trend diverges sharply from the national picture, where the overall smoking rate across England has declined to 9.5% due to sustained government initiatives.
Officials from the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control highlighted the disparity, stating the need for more resources and investment to combat smoking in Hull, ensuring a smoke-free environment nationwide.
Data from the Office for National Statistics, released via the Annual Population Survey, reveals a long-term downward trend in Hull since 2011 when the rate was 30.5%.
Smoking is increasingly concentrated in communities facing economic and social challenges, which can lead to intergenerational smoking patterns. Organizations like Smokefree Hull are actively supporting individuals, with a substantial number setting quit dates and successfully quitting.
New legislation, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, is expected to take effect soon, aiming to create a smoke-free generation by prohibiting tobacco sales to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009. The government asserts record investment in support services and national campaigns to tackle tobacco and nicotine product availability.
Health ministers acknowledge that smoking remains disproportionately common in the most deprived communities and among those in routine and manual jobs, underscoring the importance of targeted support where it can have the greatest impact.
