Who Smokes and Why?

Who Smokes?

More than 80% of smokers take up the habit as teenagers.

Around 450 young people in the UK start smoking every day

A third of 11year olds and two thirds of 16 years olds have experimented
with cigarettes

Almost 25% of 15 years olds are regular smokers despite the fact that it is
illegal to sell cigarettes to people Under 16.

Girls are more likely to smoke than boys

Ninety percent of young people say they will stop smoking once they leave
school, however two thirds are still smoking 5 years later

Twenty six percent of young people aged between 16 and 19 smoke, however smoking is highest in the 20-24 age group for both men and women (38% and 34% respectively)

Why smoke?

There are many factors that may influence young people to start smoking for instance:

Young people are three times more likely to smoke if both their parents are smokers.

Most young people are influenced by their friends and older siblings'
smoking habits.

Young people are more likely to smoke cigarette brands that are advertised
and promoted heavily.

Tobacco advertising not only reinforces smoking habits but also encourages
young people to start smoking.

Did you know? Young people are three times more like to start smoking if they see smoking in movies.

Nicotine addiction

Young people who experiment with tobacco quickly become addicted to
nicotine. The Royal College of Physicians concluded, "Cigarettes are highly efficient nicotine delivery devices and are as addictive as drugs such as heroin or cocaine".

Nicotine reaches and stimulates the brain within 8 seconds of being inhaled.

Over time the smokers need to smoke more frequently in order to relieve the unpleasant physical and mental withdrawal symptoms and therefore find it difficult to stop.

Smokers gradually build up strong associations with smoking and their daily routines. They smoke at particular times or in particular places, for example; on the way to school, during break, after a meal, or at social events. Smoking also becomes linked with emotional states and so people may smoke in response to stress, boredom, or even to celebrate.