Which Countries Are Leading the Global Decline in Smoking?

As global awareness of the health risks associated with smoking grows, many countries are intensifying their efforts to curb tobacco use and prevent nicotine addiction among young people. From steep taxes on cigarettes to strict regulations on vaping products, the approaches vary, but the goal is the same: to foster a healthier, smoke-free future. A new index created by health insurance comparison service iSelect sought to identify which countries are most successfully championing the decline in smoking. The study assigned a score from 0 to 100 to each country based on a combination of key metrics: the current percentage of the population that smokes, the rate at which this number is declining annually, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes, the level of online search interest in quitting smoking, and the stringency of vaping regulations.

The results highlight a clear group of leading nations, with Australia, the United Kingdom, and Iceland securing the top three spots for their comprehensive and effective approaches to tobacco control.

The Top 10 Countries Championing the Smoking Decline

Here’s a look at the countries that are leading the way in reducing cigarette use, according to the iSelect index:

Australia (Score: 74.91/100): Topping the list, Australia combines some of the world’s highest cigarette prices (around $48.37 AUD per pack) with strong vaping regulations (rated 8.5/10). This has contributed to a low smoking rate of just 9.7% of the population, which continues to decline by 0.38% annually.
United Kingdom (Score: 71.67/100): The UK demonstrates a significant annual decline in smokers (-0.78%), despite a slightly higher current smoking rate of 10.8%. High cigarette prices (around £15.14 or $31.03 AUD), strong vaping regulations (8.5/10), and a high number of online searches for quitting support (25.36 per 10k people) underscore its effective strategy.
Iceland (Score: 70.43/100): Boasting the lowest smoking rate in Europe at just 6.1%, Iceland continues to see a healthy decline of 0.66% per year. The country also has strong vaping regulations (8.5/10) and moderately high cigarette prices.
New Zealand (Score: 70.09/100): With the second-highest cigarette prices in the study (around $40.24 NZD or $36.82 AUD), New Zealand has a current smoking rate of 10.3% and sees an annual decline of 0.68%. Its vaping regulations also scored a high 8.5/10.
Norway (Score: 63.48/100): Norway stands out for its high rate of smoking decline, at 0.89% year-on-year, bringing its current smoking prevalence down to just 9.3%.
Canada (Score: 63.30/100): With a smoking rate of 10.1% and an annual decline of 0.62%, Canada’s strong vaping regulations (8.5/10) and moderate cigarette prices contribute to its high ranking.
Ireland (Score: 62.83/100): Despite a higher smoking rate of 16.4%, Ireland’s high cigarette prices (around €17.24 or $30.57 AUD) and the highest number of quit-smoking searches in the top ten (28.11 per 10k people) signal a strong public desire to quit.
Austria (Score: 62.65/100): Austria shows the sharpest decline in smokers worldwide in this index, with cigarette use dropping by 1.03% each year. This is coupled with a very high number of online searches for quitting support, which may be helping to address its relatively high smoking rate of 21%.
Denmark (Score: 59.74/100): Denmark shows a solid year-on-year decrease of 0.76% in its smoking population, which currently stands at 12.9%.
Germany (Score: 59.54/100): Rounding out the top ten, Germany has a high number of quit-smoking searches and a steady decline in smokers (-0.57% annually), though its current smoking rate is 17.8%. Its vaping regulation score was the lowest in the top ten at 7/10.

Regional Spotlights: Best and Worst Performers

The study also broke down performance within several key countries:

Worst Overall Country: Indonesia ranked lowest in the index with a score of just 6.95. It has a massive smoking rate of 33.8%, which is reportedly increasing by 0.18% annually, some of the cheapest cigarettes in the world, and a very low vaping regulation score (2/10).
Australia: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was the best-performing state/territory, with a smoking rate of just 4.9%. The Northern Territory ranked last, with a much higher smoking rate of 15.2% and cheaper cigarettes.
USA: Connecticut was the best-performing state, with a low smoking rate of 8.4% and a strong annual decline of 1.13%. Tennessee ranked last, with a 17% smoking rate and one of the lowest local taxes on tobacco in the nation.
UK: Warrington was named the best city for smoking health, with only 7.3% of residents smoking. In contrast, Hull ranked as the worst, with a smoking rate of 19.2% and a slower annual decline.

This index provides a valuable snapshot of which nations are making the most significant strides in tobacco control. The data suggests that a combination of high taxation, strong regulations on alternative products like vapes, and public engagement in cessation efforts are key components of a successful strategy to reduce the harms of smoking.

Full Study: The Countries Championing the Smoking Decline

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.