Children and smoking
Current trends
Government figures show that one in ten 11-15 year olds in England regularly smokes at least one cigarette a week (12% of girls and 9% of boys). [1]
These figures reveal a slight increase in overall prevalence but, because of the fluctuation in teenage smoking behaviour since the early 1980s, it is not possible to say whether this is a new upward trend in smoking.
Nicotine is highly addictive. Although half of young smokers from higher socioeconomic groups stop smoking by their 30s, three-quarters of those from low-income groups are at the beginning of a long-term, life-threatening habit.
Significantly, young people who have not started smoking before they are 20 are unlikely to start.
Key facts about young people and smoking
- About 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are regular smokers by the age of 15.[2]
- Children are three times more likely to smoke if their parents smoke. [2]
- Three out of four children are aware of cigarettes by the time they reach the age of five whether or not their parents smoke. [3]
- Half of smokers under 16 who try to buy cigarettes from shops succeed in doing so. [2]
Tobacco sale ban to the under-18s
Moves by ministers to raise the minimum legal age for buying tobacco in England from 16 to 18 have been cautiously welcomed as all sides of the smoking debate.
A raised limit would be in line with the US and other European Union states. Tobacco control campaigners have said bringing the UK law on cigarettes into line with that on alcohol would reduce the number of under-age smokers.
The government consultation on smoking age limit (published in 2006) can be viewed at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/LiveConsultations/
Influences on smoking uptake
Starting to smoke is a process that involves many influences including a child's social environment, family circumstances and emotional well-being. Studies show that attitudes towards smoking start to develop while children are still very young and may be reinforced throughout childhood and adolescence.
It appears that the tide of public opinion is turning against smoking. Three-quarters of the UK population believe smoking in households with children should be banned, according to a poll in June 2005 by Developing Patient Partnerships. This showed that 72% of respondents, including 65% of smokers, were in favour of a ban.
However, another batch of 2005 NHS research conducted by ICM found that 39% of teenagers quizzed were exposed to smoke in the home when they were younger, while 13% were exposed to it in cars. This poll showed almost half of adult smokers (45%) admitted smoking in the car with children present, while one-third said that they smoked in the same room as children.
Advertising and marketing
Tobacco advertising and promotions have an important influence on children's smoking behaviour. Advertising creates and sustains the impression that smoking is a socially acceptable norm, and surveys show that children tend to smoke the brands that are most heavily promoted.[4], [5]
A study of secondary school children found that 38% of smokers and 56% of non-smokers thought that tobacco advertising had quite a lot or a lot of effect on influencing young people to start smoking.[6]
See Tobacco Control for information on national policy and NHF action in this area
References
- Department of Health. 2001. Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England in 2000. London: The Stationery Office.
- ASH Factsheet no.3. www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets
- Teenage Smoking attitudes. Office for National Statistics 1997.
- Aitkin PP, Leathar DS, Squair SI. 1986. Children's opinions on whether or not cigarette advertisements should be banned. Health Education Journal; 45: 204-07.
- British Medical Association. Press release, 23 November 1995.
- Balding J. 1998. Young People in 1997. Exeter: Schools Health Education Unit.