You asked
FOI/2021/2277
How many people in the UK died from smoking related illnesses in 2020?
We said
Thank you for your request.
ONS mortality data comes from the information collected at death registration. All of the conditions mentioned on the death certificate are coded using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Unfortunately, we do not hold the information you have requested; smoking habits are not recorded as part of this process.
We have, however, produced analysis of Adult smoking habits in the UK, in partnership with Public Health England. The latest data available is for 2019.
We have also produced Deaths involving COVID-19, England and Wales: deaths occurring in April 2020 which shows some pre-existing conditions that could be attributed to smoking, but it does not categorically state if the deceased smoked.
If you wish to look at mortality statistics by underlying cause of death, you may obtain this data via NOMIS.
NHS Digital may be better placed to answer your enquiry. They can be contacted via the following email address: enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk.
NHS England have produced analysis of smoking-related ill health and mortality, the latter using ONS mortality data. You can view this data here: Statistics on Smoking, England 2020.
Deaths estimated to be attributable to smoking, by region and local authority, per 100,00 population are provided in Public Health England Fingertips Tool Local Tobacco Control Profiles.