The number of people that smoke has significantly dropped in recent years. Unfortunately, smoking related illnesses still account for more accumulated years of life lost than any other modifiable risk factor. https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/online-version/chapter-2-more-nhs-action-on-prevention-and-health-inequalities/smoking/

According to the Office for National Statistics, as of 2018, around 15.1% of people over the aged of 18 smoked cigarettes, a nominal figure of around 7.4 million.

Smoking is linked to around half a million hospital admissions every year. This places a significant strain on personal and public health as well as increased pressure on the NHS, and associated primary and secondary health services. GPs play an important role in helping patients to quit smoking through prescribing of appropriate medicines, nicotine replacement therapy or referring patients for therapy.

Smoking cessation forms an important part of health promotion as well as the NHS Long Term Plan.