- The equivalent of 127,500 people between the ages of 18 and 25 start smoking every year
- But three-quarters of smokers said they would never start if they had the choice again
Around 350 young adults are starting to smoke regularly every day in Britain, a new analysis shows.
Research has shown that the equivalent of 127,500 people between the ages of 18 and 25 start smoking every year.
The figures have been described as ‘devastating’ by experts, who warned that young people risk a ‘lifelong addiction’ if they take up the habit.
They praised the Chancellor’s recent decision to increase tobacco taxes, making it more expensive to buy a pack of cigarettes.
Once a person starts smoking, it takes an average of 30 attempts to quit, many of which never succeed, experts say
The government has also announced plans to increase the tobacco sales age by a year each year, meaning anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 cannot legally buy cigarettes in England.
The analysis was carried out for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) by researchers from University College London (UCL).
Deborah Arnott, CEO of ASH, said: ‘It is shocking to realize that hundreds of young adults are starting to smoke every day, setting them up for a lifetime of addiction.
‘Raising the age of sale is critical if we are to end the terrible toll of disease, disability and premature death caused by smoking.’
Once a person starts smoking, it takes an average of thirty attempts to quit, many of which never succeed.
Despite the majority of smokers wanting to quit, two in three who fail to quit will die from smoking, figures show.
Meanwhile, three-quarters of smokers say they would never have started if they had the choice again.
Dr. Sarah Jackson, from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said: ‘Most people start smoking when they are young and don’t intend for it to become a lifelong habit.
‘But they quickly become addicted and find it very difficult to stop later in life.
‘Smoking at any age has serious health consequences, but these are particularly pronounced among those who start young.
“Raising the age of sale will lead to fewer young adults smoking and reduce the burden of smoking-related death and disease for the next generation.”
Dr. Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘Smoking causes around 150 cases of cancer in Britain every day and it is devastating to see this data, which estimates that so many young adults are still doing it.
‘That is why it is so crucial that the age of sale legislation is passed as soon as possible.
‘We look forward to seeing the Government present the legislation and urge all MPs to support this landmark measure so we can help create the first ever smoke-free generation.’