Smoking is back! Not for everyone, though, just for Gen Z.
Since the 1970s, smoking in the UK has been on a gradual decline, but dropping even more quickly over the last 15 years.
However, the resurgence of smoking in Gen Z has been on the rise over the last 5 years. A UCL study, funded by Cancer Research, found that 127,500 18-25 year olds start smoking each year. This works out at 350 people a day.
Truth Initiative is a non-profit tobacco control organisation. They say smoking is glamorised for young people. Depicting smoking in television shows, movies and even fashion campaigns idolises the habit. Young people see smoking as “cool and edgy”.
Truth Initiative’s recent study found that young people with high on-screen tobacco exposure triples the odds of them smoking or even vaping in the next year.
Additionally, Gen Z have access to Instagram accounts that are dedicated to posting pictures of their favourite celebrities smoking or being seen with cigarettes.
As Gen Z was growing up, legislation around smoking changed. But, regulations around smoking and its advertising actually started much earlier than you would think.
Gen Z are people born between 1997 and 2012.
And right in the middle of this era, specifically 2003, direct marketing for cigarettes and tobacco products became restricted; in 2005, cigarette and tobacco companies could no longer sponsor F1 teams and sporting events.
The 2007 smoking ban prohibited people from smoking indoors. In 2012, shops could not have a point of sale for cigarettes and tobacco. In 2015, the Children’s and Families Act introduced standardised packaging for cigarettes in the UK.
How can Gen Z stop smoking?
Efforts are required to counteract this trend, as smoking isn’t good for our health. Action on Smoking and Health thinks education and media responsibility is the answer.
Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive at Action on Smoking and Health said:
“Research consistently shows that media portrayals of smoking influence young people by shaping their attitudes towards smoking. This risk is amplified on platforms popular with Gen Z, where tobacco depictions often escape traditional advertising restrictions. We know that the vast majority of long-term smokers start before adulthood, and any shift towards normalising smoking, even subtly through celebrity culture, is a concern for public health. Efforts to counteract this trend, including sustained education and stronger media responsibility, are essential to protect young people from tobacco’s well-documented harms.”
One Gen Z’er told City News that they don’t feel as though they need to quit smoking now, and that it makes their lifestyle more enjoyable.
They also added that “the price is almost too much, though, and that is probably the biggest motivation to quitting”.
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HeadlineCigarettes are back and Gen Z is lighting up
Short HeadlineCigarettes are back and Gen Z is lighting up
StandfirstSince the 1970s smoking in the UK has been declining, but Gen Z have started to break the trend
Smoking is back! Not for everyone, though, just for Gen Z.
Since the 1970s, smoking in the UK has been on a gradual decline, but dropping even more quickly over the last 15 years.
However, the resurgence of smoking in Gen Z has been on the rise over the last 5 years. A UCL study, funded by Cancer Research, found that 127,500 18-25 year olds start smoking each year. This works out at 350 people a day.
Truth Initiative is a non-profit tobacco control organisation. They say smoking is glamorised for young people. Depicting smoking in television shows, movies and even fashion campaigns idolises the habit. Young people see smoking as “cool and edgy”.
Truth Initiative’s recent study found that young people with high on-screen tobacco exposure triples the odds of them smoking or even vaping in the next year.
Additionally, Gen Z have access to Instagram accounts that are dedicated to posting pictures of their favourite celebrities smoking or being seen with cigarettes.
As Gen Z was growing up, legislation around smoking changed. But, regulations around smoking and its advertising actually started much earlier than you would think.
Gen Z are people born between 1997 and 2012.
And right in the middle of this era, specifically 2003, direct marketing for cigarettes and tobacco products became restricted; in 2005, cigarette and tobacco companies could no longer sponsor F1 teams and sporting events.
The 2007 smoking ban prohibited people from smoking indoors. In 2012, shops could not have a point of sale for cigarettes and tobacco. In 2015, the Children’s and Families Act introduced standardised packaging for cigarettes in the UK.
How can Gen Z stop smoking?
Efforts are required to counteract this trend, as smoking isn’t good for our health. Action on Smoking and Health thinks education and media responsibility is the answer.
Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive at Action on Smoking and Health said:
“Research consistently shows that media portrayals of smoking influence young people by shaping their attitudes towards smoking. This risk is amplified on platforms popular with Gen Z, where tobacco depictions often escape traditional advertising restrictions. We know that the vast majority of long-term smokers start before adulthood, and any shift towards normalising smoking, even subtly through celebrity culture, is a concern for public health. Efforts to counteract this trend, including sustained education and stronger media responsibility, are essential to protect young people from tobacco’s well-documented harms.”
One Gen Z’er told City News that they don’t feel as though they need to quit smoking now, and that it makes their lifestyle more enjoyable.
They also added that “the price is almost too much, though, and that is probably the biggest motivation to quitting”.
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