George Orwell, an inveterate smoker, once complained that “ordinary man spends more on cigarettes than an Indian peasant has for his whole livelihood”. When Orwell was writing, in 1946, two thirds of men smoked cigarettes. In 2012 just 22% did, according to the Opinion and Lifestyle Survey.
The decline now seems to have slowed (see chart). Since 2008, the proportion of teenagers who smoke has fallen by a third, whereas among men aged 25-50 the habit is more common. But overall consumption is still falling. The average smoker has cut down, from 14 cigarettes a day to 12 a day last year.
Smoking fewer cigarettes may not bring many health benefits, says Professor Robert West, of University College London. Smokers who cut down tend to suck harder. That is equally bad for the lungs, though lighter on the wallet.
