Huge change in Brits’ smoking habits revealed as number of people puffing on pipes and cigars surges in last decade

MORE and more Brits are smoking cigars and pipes, a study has found.

The number lighting up non-cigarette tobacco has increased fivefold in a decade.

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Researchers found that their usage surged at the start of the pandemic in 2020 and has kept rising — with smokers aged 18 almost three times as likely to use the products as a 65-year-old.

Around 773,000 people were puffing cigars, pipes or shisha in September last year, compared with 151,200 in 2013.

One in ten smokers now smoke only non-cig tobacco, the researchers at University College London found.

Celebs including boxing world champion Tyson Fury and rapper Jay-Z have been snapped smoking cigars.

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Health figures warned it shows PM Rishi Sunak’s bid for “smoke-free generations” needs expansion.

Mr Sunak announced plans last year to ban all kids under 14 ever buying cigs.

The legal age would be raised every year until there are no smokers left.

Dr Ian Walker of Cancer Research UK said the report highlights “the issue of smoking isn’t just about cigarettes”.

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He said: “That’s why it’s crucial that the Government’s age-of-sale legislation applies to all tobacco products.”