Smoking rates in Scotland have stalled, prompting calls for transparency over funding for NHS help to quit services.

The Scottish Health Survey 2024 has found 14% of Scots continue to smoke – the same proportion as the year before.

Meanwhile, funding specifically allocated for health board-run cessation services has also dropped £9.11m to £7.852m between 2016/17 and 2021/22, according to Scottish government figures. No data have been published for the last three financial years.

Scotland’s public health minister says smoking cessation services are cost effective and readily accessible – and progress is being made towards the goal of a tobacco free Scotland by 2034.

However, health charity ASH Scotland says the lack of transparency over recent spending is worrying, given that progress in reducing smoking has now stalled.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive, said it is “vital” those who need behavioural support can access NHS ‘Quit Your Way’ services, which she says improve chances of success by three to four times: 

“As the Scottish government’s funding for smoking cessation services showed a downward trend between 2016/17 and 2021/22, and no details have been provided for 2025/26, ASH Scotland is calling for increased transparency by the government and regional health boards regarding funding for Quit Your Way services, which are needed to drive progress towards Scotland becoming a tobacco-free nation in 2034.”

According to Public Health Scotland, 31,095 quit attempts were made with NHS support in 2024/25 – a slight (2.6%) increase from the year before – but most boards are failing to achieve their smoking cessation targets.

The Scottish government has set a goal of making Scotland tobacco-free by 2034, with smoking rates below 5% across the population.

Its strategy includes promoting Quit Your Way services to people living in the most deprived areas in Scotland, where rates of smoking are more than three times higher than in the least deprived.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto MSP said:

“Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease and premature death, with rates significantly higher among adults living in the most deprived areas. The risk of developing smoking-related diseases increases with both the duration and intensity of smoking, but we know this falls substantially with quitting – even for long-term smokers. 

“Anyone can access free support through Quit Your Way Scotland, offering expert advice and signposting to local services.

“Smoking cessation services are cost-effective and help reduce associated harm to people and communities. We continue to work with NHS cessation coordinators and pharmacists to ensure we are reaching those who most need support to quit, as we progress towards our goal of a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034.”

Read more: Scotland’s chief medic seeks to redefine healthcare; MSPs back law to end nicotine marketing; Lung health priorities ‘abandoned’ by government; Weight loss drugs linked to asthma improvements

 

 

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