The Oral Health Foundation is calling for sustained support for communities with the highest smoking rates, as new figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show continued progress nationally but stark differences between local areas.
An estimated 9.8% of UK adults smoked cigarettes in 2025, down from 10.6% in 2024. This represents around 4.9 million people and continues a long-term decline in smoking.
However, local figures show that smoking remains more than four times as common in some areas as in others. Across the five-year period from 2021 to 2025, smoking prevalence averaged 18.7% in Fenland, compared with 4.3% in Epsom and Ewell.
The charity is urging sustained investment in stop smoking services, with accessible, judgement-free support focused on communities where smoking remains highest, to help improve oral health and reduce health inequalities.
Dr Rachael England, Policy and Advocacy at the Oral Health Foundation, said: Dr Rachael England, Policy and Advocacy at the Oral Health Foundation, said: “The fall in smoking is welcome news and represents real progress for public health. But the national average must not hide the gap between communities.
“The latest ONS figures show that smoking rates in some local authorities are more than four times those in others. Behind those figures are people and families facing an unequal burden of preventable illness.
“For oral health, the consequences matter. Smoking increases the risk of mouth cancer and gum disease. Reducing smoking must therefore remain a priority in efforts to improve oral health and tackle health inequalities.
“We need sustained investment in stop smoking services, with support focused on communities where smoking remains highest. Dental teams, pharmacies and GP practices all have a role in helping people find that support.
“This is about making help accessible, without blame or judgement. We should celebrate fewer people smoking while making sure nobody is left behind.”
