What Percentage of Smokers Want to Quit (Latest Data 2024)

Cigarette smoking can cause a significant early fatality rate and an increase in premature death from cancer, heart disease, and lower respiratory disease.

Understanding the health repercussions of smoking is a powerful motivator for smokers who want to quit. Substantial proof implies it is possible to boost the number of young smokers quitting considerably.

This blog strives to determine the percentage of smokers who wish to quit and to examine the rates of successful quit attempts worldwide.

Contents:

Key Statistics On The Global Smoking Epidemic
Global Decline in Tobacco Smoking Prevalence
Smoking Quitting Success In The USA
How Many People Want To Quit Smoking In The UK
Smoking Quitting Attempts by Ethnic Groups in Scotland
Cigarettes As One Of The Major Reason To Quit Smoking In Australia
How Countries Are Helping In Quitting Smoking Rates
The Bottom Line

Key Statistics On The Global Smoking Epidemic

– Approximately the world’s 1.25 billion users of cigarettes (roughly 750 million people) want to quit, and 70% do not have access to effective cessation procedures.

– According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 34 million adults in the United States smoke, with around 70% voicing an intent to quit.

– Every year, tobacco kills more than 8 million individuals, including an estimated 1.3 million nonsmokers who are subjected to secondhand smoke.

– Around 3% to 5% of smokers are successful in quitting smoking without professional guidance.

– A 10% tax increase on cigarette costs downsizes smoking usage by roughly 4% in high-income nations and 5% in low- and middle-income countries.

– One study revealed that it could take 30 or more attempts before quitting smoking for a year.

Global Desire to Quit Smoking

According to international statistics, over 1.25 billion people smoke globally. Over 60%, or more than 750 million people, demonstrate a burning desire to quit smoking. This broad tendency highlights a major percentage of smokers who comprehend the negative implications of smoking cigarettes.

1.25 million smoker worldwide want to quit smoking

The US. Statistics on Smoking Cessation Intentions

In accordance to the FDA, over 34 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes. A significant majority of these smokers, almost 70%, say they like to quit smoking. This indicates an increasing interest in healthy lifestyle choices and quitting efforts among the United States’ smoking population.

Leading Cause Of Death

The worldwide outbreak of smoking is one of the world’s most significant public health obstacles, killing more than 8 million people annually. More than 7 million of these deaths are the consequence of direct smoking, whereas around 1.3 million die as a result of second-hand smoke.

Success Rate of Quitting Smoking Without Professional Help

Only 3% to 5% of smokers are capable of giving up without professional assistance. This statistic illustrates the difficulties that smokers experience while trying to quit on their own.

Don’t regard these multiple quit attempts as failures or massive defeats. Every shot to quit teaches smokers more about their triggers, and what withdrawal from smoking feels like.

Impact of Tax Increase on Tobacco Prices

A 10% tax increase on smoking product costs diminishes the use of traditional cigarettes. It leads to a 4% drop in high-income countries and a 5% reduction in low- and middle-income countries.

This shows the effectiveness of price elasticity in lowering tobacco use, particularly in low-income communities where tobacco expenses account for a more significant portion of household finances.

Attempts Before Successful Quitting

According to a specific study, it may take 30 or more attempts to quit smoking for a year successfully. This statistic emphasizes the difficulties and commitment often required to quit smoking.

These statistics demonstrate both the difficulties smokers face in quitting and the success rate of policy interventions, such as tax hikes, in minimizing smoking prevalence.

Global Decline in Tobacco Smoking Prevalence

YearsPercentage of People
200026.9%
200523.7%
201021.1%
201518.9%
202017%
202515.4%

The bar chart reveals the Global tobacco smoking prevalence among individuals aged 15 and above from 2000 to 2025.

Year 2020:

Percentage: 17%
– The decline in smoking prevalence slowed slightly, decreasing by 1.9 percentage points from 2015.

Year 2025 (forecasted):

Percentage: 15.4%
– The forecast predicts a further decrease of 1.6 percentage points from 2020.

The following data displays the global prevalence of tobacco smoking from 2000 to 2020, with estimates for 2025. The incidence of tobacco smoking is expected to decline to 15.4 percent by 2025 from 27 percent in 2000.

Statistics show an ongoing decline in smoking rates, owing to the impact of global anti-smoking campaigns, public health measures, and increased awareness of the health dangers connected with traditional smoking.

Sources: (Singlecare.com), (WHO.com), (Utswmed.org), (WHO.int/news)

Smoking Quitting Success In The USA

Quit Rates For Adults

Recently, around 11.5% (37.9 million) of American adults were current smokers, with women accounting for 10.1% and males for 13.1%. Quit attempts among smokers (about 55%) and successful quit attempts (8%- 9%) are comparable among men and women.

Around 8% - 9% smokers succeed in attempt to quit

Many smokers revealed that they need 30 or more quit attempts before they may permanently stop smoking. The likelihood of success grows with each quit endeavor.

Quit Attempt Increasing Among Former Smokers

The majority of people who smoke, about 70%, say they wish to quit, and many struggle every year. People who have ever smoked had a greater quit rate than current smokers or those who have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and presently smoke every day or on certain days.

The effective quit rate among persons who had previously smoked jumped from 61.7% to 66.5%.

Smokers Who Made Quit Attempts

Age GroupsQuitting Attempt
Ages 18-2468.5%
Ages 25-4460.3%
Ages 45-6449.5%
Ages 65+49.8%

Source: (Truthinitiative.org)

Age Group 18-24:

This age group has the most significant percentage of smokers who attempted to quit (68.5%). This suggests younger smokers are more willing to try quitting smoking, possibly due to awareness campaigns, medical problems, or social pressure.

Age Group 25-44:

When compared to the 18-24 age group, the percentage of smokers (60.3%) undertaking quit attempts reduces in the 25-44 age group. However, this age group still holds potential for change.

Age Group 45-64:

This age group’s percentage of 49.5% declines even further. Smokers in this age group may have a more deeply embedded smoking addiction or regard quitting as more unachievable.

Age Group 65+:

There are only 49.8% of smokers made quit attempts. This could be attributed to not recognizing health dangers and concerns linked with age, negatively decreasing quit attempts.

There is a concrete trend showing that younger age groups are more likely to make an effort to quit smoking than older age groups. The youngest age group (18-24) has the highest rate of quit attempts, while the lowest category is 45-64 and 65+.

Smokers Who Successfully Quit

Age GroupsSuccessfully Quit
Ages 18-2414.5%
Ages 25-4410.6%
Ages 45-645.1%
Ages 65+5.7%

Source: (Truthinitiative.org)

Age Group 18-24:

This age group has the most significant percentage of smokers who have successfully quit, at 14.5%. Younger people may find it simpler to quit since they have more brief smoking histories.

Age Group 25-44:

The success rate for stopping smoking reduces by 10.6% when compared to the 18-24 age group. Smokers in this age group may suffer extra challenges, making it more difficult to quit successfully.

Age Group 45-64:

There is a considerable reduction in the percentage of smokers who successfully quit in this age range (5.1%). Quitting smoking is more difficult for these people due to their extended smoking background and potential dependence.

Age Group 65+:

The success rate for stopping smoking has increased slightly to 5.7% compared to the 45-64 age group. This could be linked to growing concerns about health and the fact that the immediate perks of quitting smoking become increasingly evident as people age.

This statistical data reveals that, while younger smokers are more likely to make efforts to quit, effective quit outcomes are low across all age groups. The minor increase in the 65+ age category may imply that older people have a more significant stimulus to quit for health reasons, even though the overall success rate remains modest.

Source: (Truthinitiative.org)

How Many People Want To Quit Smoking In The UK

In the UK, more than 60 percent of smokers desire to quit smoking.

A more significant number of individuals in the UK are giving up cigarettes than ever before, with 71,949 quitting successfully, based on the NHS Stop Smoking Service report.

For comparison, that’s 58.6% of the 122,762 people who asked the NHS for help.

Age-Related Success Rates in Smoking Cessation at Four Weeks: England 2022/23

The graph depicts the distribution of results at four weeks for people in England who set a quit smoking date in 2022/23, broken down by age group.

The results are divided into three categories: persons who successfully quit smoking (self-reported), those who did not quit, and those whose status was unknown or lost to follow-up.

All AgesUnder 1818-3435-4445-5960 and over
Share who successfully quit54%47%50%52%55%57%
Share who had not quit28%25%28%28%28%29%
Share not known/lost to follow up18%28%22%20%16%14%

Sources: (Statista.com)

All Ages:

– Successfully Quit: 54%
– Had Not Quit: 28%

Overall, more than half of the individuals (54%) who set a quit date successfully quit smoking within four weeks. A significant portion (28%) could not quit smoking.

54% individual in uk successfully quit smoking within four weeks

Under 18:

– Successfully Quit: 47%
– Had Not Quit: 25%

Among individuals under 18, 47% successfully quit smoking, which is lower than the overall average. A quarter of them (25%) had not quit.

Age Group 18-34:

– Successfully Quit: 50%
– Had Not Quit: 28%

In the 18-34 age group, half of the individuals 50% successfully quit smoking. The percentage of those who had not quit (28%) is higher compared to the overall average.

Age Group 35-44:

– Successfully Quit: 52%
– Had Not Quit: 28%

The 35-44 age group shows a slightly higher success rate (53%) than the 18-34 age group. The percentage of those who had not quit (28%) is slightly higher than the overall average.

Age Group 45-59:

– Successfully Quit: 55%
– Had Not Quit: 28%

Individuals aged 45-59 have a success rate (55%) slightly above the overall average. Only 28 % had not quit.

60 and Over:

– Successfully Quit: 57%
– Had Not Quit: 29%

The 60 and over age group has the highest success rate (57%) among all age groups. The percentage of those who had not quit (29%) is the highest, indicating decreased quitting outcomes in this age group.

Key Insights

Overall Success: The overall success rate of quitting smoking at four weeks is 55%, indicating that more than half of the individuals who set a quit date were successful.

Age Variations: The success rates vary across different age groups, with the highest success observed in the 60 and over age group (57%) and the lowest in the under-18 age group (47%).

Non-Quitters: The ratio of individuals who have not quit smoking is highest among those under 18 (28%) and lowest among those 60 and over (14%).

In summary, the data suggests that older age groups tend to have higher success rates in quitting smoking within four weeks, while younger individuals, particularly those under 18, face more challenges in quitting.

Why People Vape In Great Britain

– Ex-smokers mostly use vaping to quit smoking (31%), prevent relapse (22%), enjoy the experience (14%), and save cash (12%).
– Current smokers’ primary motives for vaping are to reduce smoking (19%), to help them stop (17%), and to avoid relapse (13%).
– The primary reasons never-smokers vape are to enjoy the moment (39%) and to give it a shot (27%).

CategoryMain Reason for VapingPercentage
Ex-SmokersHelp them quit31%
Prevent Relapse22%
Enjoy the experience14%
Save Money12%
Current SmokersCut Down on Smoking19%
Help them quit17%
Prevent Relapse13%
Never-SmokersEnjoy the Experience39%
Just to give it a try27%

D8 disposable vapes will provide a pleasurable resort that simulates the customary act of smoking, minimizing the urge to go back to cigarettes. Current smokers, like ex-smokers, may use Delta 8 cartridges as an initial effort toward eradicating smoking consumption.

Sources: (statista.com), (niquitin.co.uk), (ash.org.uk)

Smoking Quitting Attempts by Ethnic Groups in Scotland

Ethnic GroupQuit Attempts
White47119
Asian501
Other Ethnic Group325
African93
Mixed Ethnic Groups51
Caribbean or Black41
Unknown619

This bar chart represents the number of quit attempts made to stop smoking in Scotland, categorized by ethnic group.

Source: (Statista.com)

White: Individuals who identify as White have made much more quit attempts than any other ethnic group, reaching 47,119. This significant number shows that the majority of smokers in Scotland who are trying to give up are White with a higher willingness to give up smoking.

white population has made 47119 quit attempts

Asian: People who identify as Asian have made 501 quit attempts. This is just a fraction of the number of attempts made by White people. This could point to a lesser number of Asian smokers or shorter attempts to cease smoking within this group.

Other Ethnic Group: This group has made 325 quit attempts. This is a low number, similar to the Asian group.

Africans: Africans made 93 quit attempts, one of the lowest numbers, showing a very minimal number of quit attempts compared to the White group.

Mixed Ethnic Groups: Mixed ethnic origins attempted 51 quit attempts. This is one of the smaller values, showing fewer quit attempts in this category.

Caribbean or Black: This group made 41 quit attempts, the fewest observed in the overall category. This could indicate either a tiny smoking prevalence or reduced efforts to quit smoking among this ethnic group.

The data highlights a significant disparity in the number of quit attempts among different ethnic groups. White individuals make the overwhelming preponderance of quit attempts.

Source: (Statista.com)

E-Cigarettes As One Of The Major Reason To Quit Smoking In Australia

The reasons are categorized into four groups: “Out of curiosity,” “Taste better than regular cigarettes,” “Help quit smoking,” and “Cut down on regular cigarettes.”

Source: (aihw.gov.au)

Help Quit Smoking

Help Quit Smoking is one of the significant reasons for using e-cigarettes, especially among older adults (60-69 and 70+ age groups), where it constitutes about 50% +, respectively.

Younger age groups (14-17 and 18-24) primarily use e-cigarettes out of curiosity, with the “Help Quit Smoking” reason being less prominent but more significant in the 18-24 group (10%) compared to the 14-17 group (3%).

Cut Down On Regular Cigarettes

About 10% of young adults aged 18-24 use e-cigarettes with the intent to cut down on regular cigarettes. This percentage significantly increases by over 25% in the age group 60-70+.

The percentages of older age groups (60-69 and 70+) use e-cigarettes to quit Smoking, showing a clear trend that e-cigarettes are used more for smoking cessation as age increases.

Source: (aihw.gov.au)

How Countries Are Helping In Quitting Smoking Rates

Number Of Countries Using Warning Labels For Tobacco Smoking

The provided chart shows the number of countries utilizing warning labels for tobacco smoking, categorized by income level (high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries).

IncomeNo Warnings or Small WarningsMedium Size Warnings missing some characteristics or large warnings missing many appropriate characteristicsMedium Size Warnings with all appropriate characteristics or large warnings missing some appropriate characteristicsLarge Warnings with all appropriate characteristics
High Income621240
Middle Income23161157
Low Income12646

Source: (Statista.com)

No Warnings or Small Warnings

Most countries without or with minor warnings are middle-income countries (23), followed by low-income countries (12). High-income countries have the most miniature representation in this category, with only 6 countries.

Medium-Size Warnings, Missing Some Characteristics of Large Warnings

Again, middle-income countries dominate this category with 16 countries. Low-income and high-income countries follow with 6 and 2 countries, respectively.

Medium-Size Warnings with All Appropriate Characteristics of Large Warnings Missing Some

High-income countries continue to lead in this category, comprising 12 countries. Middle-income countries are represented by 11 countries, while low-income countries are only 4 in this category.

Ample Warnings with All Appropriate Characteristics

For ample warnings with all appropriate characteristics, middle-income countries have the highest number (57), followed by high-income countries (40) and low-income countries (6).

Key Insights

Middle-Income Countries: Across all categories, middle-income countries have the most warnings, whether small, medium, or large. This suggests that middle-income nations strongly implement tobacco warning labels, emphasizing ample warnings with all relevant characteristics.

High-Income Countries: These countries have many prominent warnings with every relevant characteristic (40) but only a few in the other categories. This indicates a solid commitment to extensive tobacco warning labels among high-income countries.

Low-Income Countries: Low-income countries have fewer representatives in all categories, particularly in embracing significant warnings with all appropriate characteristics. This could point to resource or fiscal constraints in these countries.

Source: (Statista.com)

The Bottom Line

When it comes to quitting smoking, most people find that the third or fourth quitting attempt does not work. It may take a while.

Electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes) are the most prevalent type of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS).

Using a vaping gadget is a smoking substitute that is becoming increasingly popular in the United Kingdom, particularly among teenagers and young people. It involves the use of vape pens, electronic cigarettes, and advanced personal vaporizers.