ONS estimates that 9.8% of UK adults smoked cigarettes in 2025. In England in 2025/26, smokers’ materials accounted for 7.6% of accidental dwelling fires and 26.7% of deaths in those fires. This page gathers the key UK smoking fire statistics — fires, deaths, smoking in bed and the prevalence paradox — in one place, with every figure cited to its source. The data comes principally from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) detailed analysis of fires in England and its FIRE0602 data tables, alongside the Welsh Government and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service incident statistics and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) adult smoking bulletin.
Key facts and figures
- 1,819 accidental dwelling fires in England involved smokers’ materials in 2025/26 — 7.6% of the 23,795 total.
- 43 deaths in those accidental dwelling fires, 26.7% of the 161 total and the largest specified ignition-source category.
- 45 deaths in all primary fires involving smokers’ materials in England in 2025/26; all-source fire deaths totalled 254.
- 977 deaths across the 16 years 2010/11–2025/26 in England’s smokers’-materials primary-fire series.
- 41.7% / 11.2% — cooking appliances’ shares of England’s accidental dwelling fires and deaths respectively in 2025/26.
- 9.8% of UK adults aged 18 and over smoked cigarettes in 2025, about 4.9 million people (ONS Annual Population Survey).
- 44% increase in smokers’-materials accidental dwelling fires in Wales in 2024/25, the latest published Welsh ignition-source comparison.
- 395 non-fatal casualties in England’s smokers’-materials accidental dwelling fires in 2025/26.
Checked on 15 October 2026. England’s FIRE0602 figures cover 2025/26; ONS smoking estimates cover 2025 and were published on 6 October 2026. Other national statistics retain their own stated periods.
How many fires are caused by smoking in the UK each year?
1,819 accidental dwelling fires in England involved smokers’ materials in 2025/26, compared with a revised 1,541 in 2024/25. The latest count is 7.6% of accidental dwelling fires. Across all primary locations, the smokers’-materials total was 3,367 fires.
Cooking appliances accounted for more accidental dwelling fires: 9,928 in the same year. However, the 43 deaths in smokers’-materials accidental dwelling fires exceeded the 18 in cooking-appliance accidental dwelling fires. Compare like-for-like incident categories when using these counts.
FIRE0602 records ignition sources separately from causes. Smokers’ materials are a distinct category from matches and cigarette lighters. The August 2026 edition contains the latest detailed annual counts.
Why do smoking fires kill more people than cooking fires?
Smokers’ materials accounted for 26.7% of accidental dwelling-fire deaths in England in 2025/26, from 7.6% of incidents. Cooking appliances accounted for 11.2% of deaths from 41.7% of incidents. The comparison uses accidental dwelling fires throughout, rather than mixing them with all primary fires.
Fire services warn that smoking in bed or when drowsy can allow cigarettes to ignite bedding or furniture before someone reacts. That is practical safety guidance, rather than a quantified explanation of the difference between these two national categories.
The source tables do not measure cigarettes smoked, people exposed, or the probability that an individual fire will cause a death. A higher share of fatalities therefore should not be described as a precise personal risk multiplier.
How many people die in smoking-related house fires in the UK?
45 people died in primary fires involving smokers’ materials in England in 2025/26, compared with a revised 52 in 2024/25. The latest 45 includes 43 deaths in accidental dwelling fires. England recorded 254 fire-related deaths from all ignition sources.
Summing the latest FIRE0602 annual primary-fire fatality counts gives 977 deaths across 2010/11–2025/26, about 61 per year on average. This is a 16-year historical total, not an estimate of current annual deaths or a count of fatal incidents.
The broader national fatality figures are explained in our sister site’s fire deaths UK statistics guide. The country, year and incident category should accompany every comparison.
Is smoking still the leading cause of fatal house fires?
Smokers’ materials were the largest specified ignition-source category for accidental dwelling-fire deaths in England in 2025/26, with 43 deaths. The combined “other/unspecified” category was larger at 56, so an unqualified claim that smoking exceeds every category would be misleading.
The significance is the number of preventable hazards, not a claim that every fatal incident has a single identifiable explanation. London Fire Brigade advises avoiding smoking in bed, extinguishing cigarettes fully and keeping smoking materials clear of combustible items.
The key numbers in one place:
| Measure | Figure | Data period |
|---|---|---|
| Smokers’-materials accidental dwelling fires | 1,819 (7.6%) | England, 2025/26 |
| Deaths in those accidental dwelling fires | 43 (26.7%) | England, 2025/26 |
| Smokers’-materials primary-fire deaths | 45 | England, 2025/26 |
| Smokers’-materials primary-fire deaths | 52 | England, revised 2024/25 |
| Cooking shares of accidental dwelling fires / deaths | 41.7% / 11.2% | England, 2025/26 |
| Non-fatal casualties in smokers’-materials accidental dwelling fires | 395 | England, 2025/26 |
| Smokers’-materials primary-fire deaths, 16-year total | 977 | England, 2010/11–2025/26 |
How do Scotland and Wales compare?
Wales reported a 44% rise in smokers’-materials accidental dwelling fires in 2024/25, accounting for 7% of those fires. Over 2009/10–2024/25, smokers’ materials accounted for 33% of accidental dwelling-fire deaths and 9% of non-fatal casualties. The 2025/26 Welsh bulletin deferred new ignition-source analysis, so these remain explicitly historical comparisons.
Scotland’s latest published incident report at 15 October 2026 covers 2024/25. Its next release is scheduled for 30 October. Use each nation’s own ignition-source tables for comparisons; England’s counts are not a UK total.
Why is smoking in bed so dangerous?
A cigarette can ignite bedding, clothing or upholstered furniture. Someone who is asleep or drowsy may not notice a developing fire or escape promptly. Fire services therefore advise never smoking in bed or when there is a risk of falling asleep.
Use a suitable stable ashtray, extinguish cigarettes fully and keep matches and lighters away from children. Working alarms can provide earlier warning, but cannot guarantee escape. Our smoke alarm statistics page explains what the ownership and incident data measure.
If fewer people smoke, why hasn’t the risk fallen?
ONS estimates that 9.8% of UK adults aged 18 and over smoked cigarettes in 2025, about 4.9 million people, compared with 10.6% in 2024. Among 18–24-year-olds, the estimate was 7.2%, down from 25.7% in 2011. These are Annual Population Survey estimates.
Smoking prevalence and fire counts measure different things. They do not establish whether the remaining smokers are increasingly exposed to fire, nor quantify changes in smoking indoors. Drawing that conclusion would require evidence about behaviour and circumstances alongside the incident counts.
The separate Opinions and Lifestyle Survey estimated that 9.9% of Great Britain adults aged 16 and over used e-cigarettes daily or occasionally in 2025. That has a different age range, geography and survey basis from the cigarette estimate. Battery fires should not be merged into the smokers’-materials ignition category.
Frequently asked questions
How many fires are caused by smoking in the UK each year?
Smokers’ materials were the ignition source in 1,819 accidental dwelling fires in England in 2025/26, 7.6% of the total. Across all primary locations the count was 3,367. Other UK nations publish separate data.
Why do smoking fires kill more people than cooking fires?
England recorded 43 deaths in smokers’-materials accidental dwelling fires and 18 in cooking-appliance accidental dwelling fires in 2025/26. Fire services warn about smoking while drowsy, but the statistical comparison itself does not establish the reasons for the difference.
How many people die in smoking-related house fires in the UK?
There were 45 smokers’-materials primary-fire deaths in England in 2025/26, including 43 in accidental dwelling fires. The latest 16-year primary-fire total for 2010/11–2025/26 is 977.
Is smoking still the leading cause of fatal house fires?
Smokers’ materials were the largest specified ignition-source category for accidental dwelling-fire deaths in England in 2025/26. The combined other/unspecified category was larger, so that qualification matters.
Has the risk fallen now that fewer people smoke?
ONS reports declining smoking prevalence, with 9.8% of UK adults aged 18 and over smoking in 2025. Incident totals and population prevalence cannot by themselves establish risk per smoker or the reasons for annual fire changes.
Related guides
- Smoke Alarm Statistics UK: Ownership, Failures & Lives Saved
- Candle Fire Statistics UK: Fires, Deaths & Seasonal Trends
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Statistics UK: Deaths, Incidents & Alarms
- UK Fire Classes Explained: A, B, C, D, F (and L)
- How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: The PASS Method Explained
Sources & references
All statistics on this page are drawn from the following official and industry sources:
- MHCLG — FIRE0602 ignition-source tables, 2025/26
- MHCLG — Fire and rescue incidents, England, year ending March 2026
- ONS — Adult smoking habits in the UK, 2025 (6 October 2026)
- Welsh Government — Ignition-source statistics, 2024/25
- Welsh Government — 2025/26 publication and deferred ignition analysis
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service — Incident statistics and release schedule
- London Fire Brigade — Smoking fire safety
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Mark writes about workplace health & safety, fire safety awareness and accredited online training for Fire Safety Awareness Training, part of Online CPD Academy.