Health consciousness

Health consciousness in the UK has marginally declined over the past five years, dropping at a compound annual rate of -0.5% and reaching an index level of 101.6 in 2026. This slight deterioration reflects the bump in healthy lifestyle choices during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as reduced alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.

Smoking rates have continued their structural decline, underpinned by sustained government intervention. A significant recent development is the Tobacco and Vapes Bill (2024), which creates a smoke-free generation by prohibiting tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. Tobacco duty has continued to escalate, reinforcing price barriers to smoking uptake. However, the rapid growth of vaping, particularly among younger cohorts, has complicated the broader picture, with concerns around gateway effects and long-term health implications partially offsetting gains in conventional smoking reduction.

Alcohol consumption has shown a similarly mixed trend. The proportion of non-drinkers has edged upward, and the low- and no-alcohol product category has expanded considerably. However, a post-pandemic rebound in social and out-of-home drinking has tempered overall progress. Obesity remains a structural drag on health consciousness, with two thirds of adults in England remaining overweight or obese in 2024 and NHS preventive capacity constrained.