Smoking and nicotine

Smoking is a significant public health issue in Scotland.

It is a leading cause of preventable ill health, premature death and disability.

In 2022 there were:

  • over 8,000 smoking-related deaths
  • 88,779 smoking-related hospital admissions

In the same year, 3% of children in Scotland were exposed to second hand smoke.

By 2024, the number of adults smoking in Scotland was 14%.

Find out more about smoking from The Scottish Health Survey (2024).

 

Burden of disease and prevalence

Links between tobacco use and inequality and how it impacts health

Policy landscape in Scotland

Scottish Government’s Tobacco, Vaping and Population Health Framework, the single-use vape ban and the Population Health Framework

Our work on tobacco and nicotine

Our 10-year strategy on tobacco, cessation, prevention and a smoke-free Scotland

Substance use harm prevention for children and young people

Information about substance use and harm prevention in Scotland