Smoking Habits in the United Kingdom: an exploratory data analysis
The purpose of conducting exploratory data analysis on smokers in the United Kingdom is to gain comprehensive insights into various aspects related to smoking behaviors, prevalence rates, associated health risks, and socioeconomic factors. By analyzing relevant datasets, such as national surveys, health records, and demographic information, this study aims to uncover patterns, trends, and correlations within the smoking population. The findings from this analysis can contribute to a better understanding of the current state of smoking in the UK, inform public health policies and interventions, and support efforts to reduce smoking rates and improve overall population health. The following things can be done:
- Smoking prevalence: Provide an overview of the current smoking prevalence rates in the UK and how they have changed over time. Highlight any significant variations across different age groups, genders, and regions.
- Health risks associated with smoking: Discuss the well-established health risks and diseases linked to smoking, such as lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory issues, and the impact on overall life expectancy. Emphasize the importance of understanding these risks in order to develop effective smoking cessation strategies.
- Socioeconomic factors: Explore the relationship between smoking and socioeconomic factors, such as income, education, and occupation. Analyze how these variables influence smoking rates and the potential implications for health inequalities.
- Impact on the healthcare system: Examine the burden of smoking-related diseases on the healthcare system in the UK. Discuss the economic costs associated with treating smoking-related illnesses and the potential benefits of reducing smoking rates.
- Public health policies and interventions: Highlight the various policies and interventions implemented by the UK government to reduce smoking prevalence. Analyze the effectiveness of measures such as tobacco taxation, smoking bans in public places, and smoking cessation programs.
- Emerging trends and challenges: Investigate any emerging trends in smoking patterns, such as the use of electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, and their potential impact on public health. Discuss the challenges in addressing these new trends and the need for ongoing data analysis to inform responsive strategies.
- International comparisons: Compare smoking rates and tobacco control measures in the UK with other countries. Explore successful strategies implemented in different regions and their applicability to the UK context.
- Future directions: Discuss potential areas for future research and data analysis in the field of smoking, such as evaluating the effectiveness of novel smoking cessation interventions, understanding the impact of smoking on mental health, or exploring the influence of marketing and advertising on smoking behaviors.
Data source
For the purpose of conducting exploratory data analysis on smokers in the United Kingdom, there are several potential data sources that can provide valuable insights. Here are some reliable sources you can consider:
- National Health Surveys: The Health Survey for England (HSE) and the Scottish Health Survey (SHS) are comprehensive surveys conducted annually that collect data on various health-related topics, including smoking prevalence, smoking behaviors, and associated factors.
- Smoking Cessation Services: Data from smoking cessation services, such as the National Health Service (NHS) Stop Smoking Services, can provide information on the number of individuals seeking help to quit smoking, success rates, and demographic characteristics of participants.
- Health Records and Clinical Databases: Accessing anonymized health records and clinical databases, such as the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) or the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), can offer valuable insights into smoking-related diseases, hospital admissions, and mortality rates.
- Government Reports and Publications: Official reports and publications from governmental bodies like Public Health England (PHE), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provide a wealth of data on smoking prevalence, health impacts, and policy initiatives.
- Tobacco Control Organizations: Organizations dedicated to tobacco control, such as Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), may provide access to research reports, surveys, and data related to smoking prevalence, tobacco industry practices, and policy evaluation.
- Academic Research: Peer-reviewed academic studies and research papers can serve as valuable sources of data and insights into smoking patterns, health outcomes, and socioeconomic factors related to smoking in the UK.
You can find the particular dataset that we used here in our present study at: https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/28452/large-datasets-stats4schools
About Dataset
The dataset provides information on smoking habits in the UK, allowing for analysis of the demographic characteristics of smokers as well as the various types of tobacco consumed. The dataset consists of 1691 observations and includes 12 variables.
- Gender: Gender with levels ‘Female’ and ‘Male’
- age: Age of individual
- marital_status: Marital status with levels Divorced, Married, Separated, Single and Widowed.
- highest_qualification: Highest education level with levels A Levels, Degree, GCSE/CSE, GCSE/O Level, Higher/Sub Degree, No Qualification, ONC/BTEC and Other/Sub Degree
- nationality: Nationality with levels British, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Other, Refused and Unknown.
- ethnicity: Ethnicity with levels Asian, Black, Chinese, Mixed, White, and Refused Unknown.
- gross_income: Gross income with levels Under 2,600, 2,600 to 5,200, 5,200 to 10,400, 10,400 to 15,600, 15,600 to 20,800, 20,800 to 28,600, 28,600 to 36,400, Above 36,400, Refused and Unknown.
- region: Region with levels London, Midlands & East Anglia, Scotland, South East, South West, The North and Wales
- smoke: Smoking status with levels No and Yes
- amt_weekends: Number of cigarettes smoked per day on weekends.
- amt_weekdays: Number of cigarettes smoked per day on weekdays.
- type: Type of cigarettes smoked with levels Packets, Hand-Rolled, Both/Mainly Packets, and Both/Mainly Hand-Rolled
Data Analysis & Visualizations
In this blog post, I will present the findings of my exploratory data analysis using a combination of Power BI and Python. Through these tools, I have conducted an in-depth analysis of the dataset on smokers in the United Kingdom.
- Using Power BI, I performed various data visualizations and analyses to uncover insights within the dataset. I created bar charts, scatter plots, pie charts, and other visualizations to explore the relationships between variables such as gender, age, marital status, nationality, ethnicity, and smoking behavior. These visualizations helped me identify patterns, trends, and correlations among different factors.
- Additionally, I utilized Power BI’s filtering and aggregation capabilities to slice and aggregate the data based on specific criteria. This allowed me to focus on subsets of the data and calculate summary statistics such as mean, median, and standard deviation for numerical variables like age and gross income.
- Furthermore, I leveraged Python for some aspects of the analysis. Python’s data analysis libraries, such as Pandas and NumPy, provided additional functionality and flexibility in handling the dataset. I used Python to perform data preprocessing tasks, manipulate and clean the data, and conduct more advanced statistical analyses if required.
- Smoking habits
Smoking habits can vary based on age, but it’s important to note that not all individuals within a particular age group smoke. Smoking rates can be influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural norms, accessibility of tobacco products, health education, and awareness campaigns.
So from the available data, we can say that most UK civilians are non-smokers or don’t prefer to smoke.
If we examine smoking habits in the UK based on nationality, it has been observed that English and British individuals have historically had higher smoking rates compared to other nationalities. Factors that may contribute to higher smoking rates among English and British individuals include cultural factors, historical patterns, and social norms surrounding tobacco use. These factors may influence smoking initiation, continuation, and cessation behaviors among different population groups.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of smoking habits among different nationalities in the UK, referring to specific studies, surveys, or reports that focus on smoking prevalence by nationality would be beneficial. These sources can provide more detailed and up-to-date information on smoking patterns among various national groups within the UK.
- Clearly, middle-aged people smoke a lot. It can be noticed here that smoking is very common for people aged 30–40, both Male and Female. It can also be noticed here that young age people (< 30) and old aged (>78) either don’t smoke or do not have sufficient data.
- It is clear from this that married persons are more likely to smoke. This may be due to various reasons. Smoking habits can vary greatly among individuals, and it’s inaccurate to assume that all married people are likelier to smoke. Factors such as personal choices, cultural influences, and socioeconomic status can influence smoking behavior. In divorced females, smoking is more common than the Males.
In general, smoking rates tend to be higher among younger age groups compared to older age groups. This is partly due to the fact that many individuals start smoking during their teenage years or early adulthood. However, it’s worth mentioning that smoking rates have been declining in many countries over the past few decades.
2. Smokers with educational qualification, ethnicity, and nationality:
When examining the nature of the smoking habit with respect to educational qualification and ethnicity, it’s important to note that smoking behaviors can vary across different educational levels and ethnicity. However, it’s crucial to avoid making generalizations as individual choices and behaviors can differ.
Here are some observations that can be seen with these plots
- Educational Qualification:
- Higher Education: Generally, individuals with higher educational qualifications tend to have lower smoking rates compared to those with lower education levels. Higher education often correlates with better awareness of the health risks associated with smoking and greater access to health information.
- Lower Education: People with lower educational qualifications may have higher smoking rates due to various factors, including lower socioeconomic status, limited access to health education, and higher levels of stress. - Ethnicity: Smoking rates can vary among different ethnic groups, influenced by cultural norms, socioeconomic factors, and historical trends. Here are some general observations:
- Asian: Smoking Rates in general, smoking rates tend to be lower among Asian populations compared to other ethnic groups. Cultural norms, values, and the influence of Confucian principles emphasizing health and longevity contribute to lower smoking rates. Smoking rates may differ among specific Asian subgroups due to cultural diversity and varying levels of acculturation. For example, smoking rates can be higher among Southeast Asian communities compared to East Asian communities.
- White: Historically, smoking rates have been higher among white populations compared to some other ethnic groups. Smoking rates can vary among white populations based on socioeconomic factors, education levels, and regional differences. Efforts to reduce smoking prevalence have led to declining rates in recent years.
- Black: Historically, smoking rates among Black populations have been higher compared to some other ethnic groups. Socioeconomic Factors: Factors such as targeted marketing by tobacco companies, socioeconomic disparities, and stressors related to systemic inequalities contribute to higher smoking rates. Awareness and Initiatives: Efforts to raise awareness about the health risks of smoking and implement tobacco control programs have contributed to a decline in smoking rates among some Black communities.
- Chinese: Smoking rates among Chinese populations can vary based on geographical location and cultural factors. In mainland China, smoking rates have traditionally been higher among men compared to women. However, efforts have been made to reduce smoking prevalence through public health campaigns and tobacco control measures. Overseas Chinese communities may exhibit different smoking behaviors influenced by the cultural norms of their country.
- Mixed Ethnicities: Smoking rates among individuals of mixed ethnicities can vary and may be influenced by various factors such as the dominant cultural norms in their environment, family background, and individual choices. It is important to consider the specific ethnic backgrounds within mixed ethnicities to understand potential variations in smoking behavior. - Nationality:
- English: Historically, England has had higher smoking rates, but they have been decreasing due to public health campaigns and awareness of health risks.
- Scottish: Scotland has had higher smoking rates compared to other parts of the UK, with initiatives in place to promote smoking cessation.
- Welsh: Wales has also experienced higher smoking rates, but efforts to reduce prevalence have been implemented through anti-smoking initiatives.
- Irish: Refers to individuals from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Historically, smoking rates in Ireland have been higher, but both regions have implemented tobacco control policies and awareness campaigns.
3. Smoking behavior with respect to gender, gross income, and type of cigarette:
Clearly, Packeted cigarettes are more popular than the other categories. Both genders have similar behavior for the gross salary range of 5200–10400 £ in all kinds of cigarettes.
4. Smokers by region
Smoking in the midlands and east Angila is the highest of all regions. Although Non-smokers in the Midlands & East Anglia are larger, the number of smokers in the North region is higher. The logical explanation for the statement could be that while the Midlands and East Anglia region has the highest smoking prevalence rate (percentage of smokers among the population), the North region has a larger overall population, resulting in a higher number of smokers.
5. Proportion who were current smokers, all persons by age group, UK, 2011 to 2020
Key points from the graph are:
- The age group of 25 to 34 years has the highest proportion of current smokers (15.8%).
- The age group of 65 years and over has the lowest proportion of current smokers (8.0%).
- The largest reduction in smoking prevalence has been observed among those aged 18 to 24 years.
- In 2011, 25.7% of this age group were smokers, compared to 13.2% in 2021.
- This represents a significant reduction of almost 12.5 percentage points.
- Research from the University of Essex suggests that increased taxation on tobacco products has contributed to the reduction of smoking prevalence among individuals under 25 years of age.
By conducting a historical data analysis of the dataset containing the percentage of the population smoking in various regions of the UK, valuable insights can be gained regarding the control of smoking. This analysis will provide an approach to understanding the trends and patterns of smoking prevalence over time, region-wise. It can help identify regions where smoking rates have been successfully reduced and regions that require targeted interventions. The analysis can also highlight the effectiveness of past initiatives and policies in specific regions and inform future strategies for achieving the goal of reducing smoking prevalence to 12% or less by the end of 2022 in England.
Clearly, the yearly % of the population decreased in all regions of the UK over time. Key points from the provided information:
- In 2021, England had the lowest proportion of current smokers at 13.0% (approximately 5.4 million people).
- This represents a statistically significant decrease from 2020, when the proportion was 13.8% (around 5.7 million people).
- Among the constituent countries of the UK, Scotland had the highest proportion of current smokers at 14.8% (around 620,000 people).
- In Wales and Northern Ireland, the proportion of current smokers was 14.1% (around 340,000 people) and 13.8% (around 190,000 people), respectively.
- Since 2011, there has been a statistically significant decline in the proportion of current smokers in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- The estimate for Northern Ireland has been more variable over time due to the smaller sample size.
6. Based on Employment
The proportion who were current smokers by economic activity, all persons aged 18 years and over, UK, 2011 to 2021
The analysis reveals that individuals who were unemployed had a higher proportion of current smokers compared to those who were employed and receiving a salary. This finding highlights a correlation between employment status and smoking behavior, indicating that being unemployed may be associated with a higher likelihood of smoking. Further examination of the data and additional research could provide insights into the underlying factors contributing to this relationship, which can inform targeted interventions and support programs aimed at reducing smoking rates among the unemployed population.
Summary
Exploratory data analysis on smokers in the UK aims to understand smoking behaviors, prevalence rates, health risks, and socioeconomic factors. The analysis provides insights into current smoking rates, associated diseases, and their impact on healthcare. It evaluates public health policies and emerging trends like vaping and compares international approaches. Future research may focus on novel cessation interventions, mental health effects, and marketing influences.
