Smoking Rates Rise Among Middle-Class Women Under 45 in England

A decade-long study reveals an increase in smoking among affluent younger women, contrasting with a decline in less advantaged groups.

Research from University College London shows a rise in smoking from 11.7% to 14.9% among middle-class women aged 18 to 45 over the past decade.
Vaping among women in the same age group has more than tripled, increasing from 5.1% to 19.7%.
The majority of female smokers now use hand-rolled cigarettes, with 61.4% reporting exclusive use of roll-ups.
Financial pressures and the cost-of-living crisis are cited as possible factors influencing smoking habits.
Recent government actions aim to curb smoking and vaping, especially among the youth, with new regulations and funding for cessation programs.