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ASH WALES • 2026 SURVEY
What adults in Wales told us about smoking, vaping and tobacco control
Our 2026 Annual Adult Population Survey brings together the views and experiences of 1,119 adults across Wales. Explore the headline findings below or read the full report.
1,119
adults aged 18+ surveyed
18 Feb to 19 Mar
2026 fieldwork period
YouGov
online survey, weighted to Welsh adults
Six numbers that tell the story
These are ASH Wales/YouGov survey findings. The 12% smoking figure comes from this survey and should not replace the official National Survey for Wales prevalence estimate.
12%
of adults surveyed currently smoke
53%
of current smokers want to stop
28% vs 8%
smoking among adults in social housing compared with homeowners
12%
of adults surveyed currently vape
54%
of adults aware of vapes think vaping is as harmful as or more harmful than smoking
86%
support tobacco retailer licensing that could be removed after repeated underage sales
Smoking is not evenly distributed
Housing tenure shows one of the clearest inequalities in the survey. Current smoking was reported by 8% of homeowners, 17% of private renters and 28% of adults living in social housing. Vaping followed a similar pattern: 8%, 16% and 21% respectively.
Current smoking by housing tenure
Homeowners
8%
Private renters
17%
Social housing
28%
Current vaping by housing tenure
Homeowners
8%
Private renters
16%
Social housing
21%
Smoking in the home: 23% of adults living in social housing said someone smokes in their home most days, compared with 8% of homeowners. The survey does not tell us whether children were present when someone smoked.
More than half of current smokers want to stop
53%
Among adults who have tried to quit, 35% have used a vape, 27% nicotine replacement therapy, 11% a stop smoking service or help from a GP or pharmacy, and 6% prescribed medication. Another 30% did not use any of the methods listed.
Respondents could choose more than one method, so the percentages do not add to 100%. The survey records what people tried, not what worked.
Methods people have tried when quitting
Vape
35%
Nicotine replacement therapy
27%
Stop smoking service, GP or pharmacy
11%
Prescribed medication
6%
None of the methods listed
30%
Vaping: use, reasons and perceptions
39%
of adults who vape say their main reason is to stop smoking, cut down or stay off tobacco
30%
of current smokers also currently vape
40%
of current smokers who know about vapes but do not vape would be interested in trying one free from a health professional
Adults saying vaping is as harmful as or more harmful than cigarettes
2016
24%
2022
33%
2026
54%
Read this chart descriptively: the report describes the 2016 and 2022 figures as around 24% and 33%. Differences between survey years have not been tested for statistical significance.
Public Health Wales states that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, though it is not risk-free. Vapes can help some adults stop smoking; children and people who do not smoke should not vape.
What respondents support
The survey asked adults about tobacco retail controls, vape presentation and promotion, the smokefree generation age-of-sale policy and a tobacco manufacturer levy.
Smokefree generation
63%
Tobacco retail licensing
86%
Vape packaging controls
80%
Point-of-sale vape advertising
80%
Vape flavour descriptions
72%
Tobacco manufacturer levy
75%
Question wording matters: 86% supported a tobacco retail licence that could be removed after repeated underage sales; 80% supported banning sweet names, cartoons and bright colours on vape packaging; 80% supported banning vape advertising and promotion at point of sale; 72% supported restrictions on how vape flavours may be described; 75% supported a levy on tobacco manufacturers to fund quitting and prevention measures.
Support for smokefree places remains high
Support was highest for school grounds and children’s play areas. The figures below are 2026 survey results.
School grounds
93%
Children's play areas
93%
Hospital grounds
79%
Public transport waiting areas
77%
Further education college grounds
69%
University and college grounds
66%
65%
support smokefree rules in all cars
60%
support smokefree outdoor seating at restaurants, pubs and cafés
60%
support smokefree beaches
60%
support smokefree parks
Among adults asked where they encountered other people’s tobacco smoke in the previous three months, 32% reported exposure while waiting for public transport.
About the survey
ASH Wales works with Action on Smoking and Health on the annual Smokefree GB survey. YouGov conducted the 2026 survey online between 18 February and 19 March with 1,119 adults aged 18 and over in Wales.
Figures are weighted and rounded. Published subgroup figures use an unweighted base greater than 80. Differences between years have not been tested for statistical significance. Survey results cannot establish causation.
Use the right source
The annual ASH Wales/YouGov survey gives us detailed public-attitude and experience data. For the official national smoking prevalence estimate, use the National Survey for Wales figures in our Smoking Statistics and Facts in Wales hub.