This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42619664
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Most people who try one cigarette become daily smokers, study says | Most people who try one cigarette become daily smokers, study says |
(about 11 hours later) | |
At least two-thirds of those who try cigarettes go on to become daily smokers, even if only temporarily, research suggests. | At least two-thirds of those who try cigarettes go on to become daily smokers, even if only temporarily, research suggests. |
Data from the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand found 60.3% of people had tried smoking and an estimated 68.9% of those progressed to a daily habit. | Data from the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand found 60.3% of people had tried smoking and an estimated 68.9% of those progressed to a daily habit. |
The study's authors said the research showed the "remarkable hold" cigarettes could establish after one experience. | The study's authors said the research showed the "remarkable hold" cigarettes could establish after one experience. |
They said it confirmed the importance of stopping cigarette experimentation. | They said it confirmed the importance of stopping cigarette experimentation. |
Why young people are now less likely to smoke | Why young people are now less likely to smoke |
Quit smoking campaign backs e-cigs | Quit smoking campaign backs e-cigs |
'Right track' | 'Right track' |
The meta-analysis, published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, was based on 215,000 respondents to eight surveys between 2000 and 2016 contained in the Global Health Data Exchange. | The meta-analysis, published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, was based on 215,000 respondents to eight surveys between 2000 and 2016 contained in the Global Health Data Exchange. |
Lead researcher Prof Peter Hajek, from Queen Mary University of London, said it was the first time the link between trying a first cigarette and becoming a regular smoker had been documented in such a large set of data. | Lead researcher Prof Peter Hajek, from Queen Mary University of London, said it was the first time the link between trying a first cigarette and becoming a regular smoker had been documented in such a large set of data. |
"We've found that the conversion rate from first-time smoker to daily smoker is surprisingly high, which helps confirm the importance of preventing cigarette experimentation in the first place," he said. | "We've found that the conversion rate from first-time smoker to daily smoker is surprisingly high, which helps confirm the importance of preventing cigarette experimentation in the first place," he said. |
"The UK is seeing a dramatic reduction in smoking at the moment and this tallies with recent findings that only 19% of 11- to 15-year-olds have ever tried a cigarette, so the good news is that we are on the right track." | "The UK is seeing a dramatic reduction in smoking at the moment and this tallies with recent findings that only 19% of 11- to 15-year-olds have ever tried a cigarette, so the good news is that we are on the right track." |
Smoking rates 'all-time low' | |
In 2016, 15.5% of adults from the UK smoked - about 7.6 million people - according to the Office for National Statistics, down from 19.9% in 2010. | In 2016, 15.5% of adults from the UK smoked - about 7.6 million people - according to the Office for National Statistics, down from 19.9% in 2010. |
In the same period, 19.3% of 18- to 24-year-olds were smokers, compared with 25.8% in 2010. | In the same period, 19.3% of 18- to 24-year-olds were smokers, compared with 25.8% in 2010. |
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, called for the greater government regulation of tobacco sales. | Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, called for the greater government regulation of tobacco sales. |
"The government is refusing to introduce licensing for tobacco retailers, even though there is strong support for this both from the public and retailers," she said. | "The government is refusing to introduce licensing for tobacco retailers, even though there is strong support for this both from the public and retailers," she said. |
However, the study's authors said there were limitations to the research. | However, the study's authors said there were limitations to the research. |
One was that the surveys had yielded different results for the proportions who had progressed to becoming daily smokers - from 52% in one in the US to 82% in one in the UK - which meant the 68.9% figure was an estimate, as a weighted average of the figures. | One was that the surveys had yielded different results for the proportions who had progressed to becoming daily smokers - from 52% in one in the US to 82% in one in the UK - which meant the 68.9% figure was an estimate, as a weighted average of the figures. |
The authors also said there were questions about the accuracy of people's recall of their smoking history. | The authors also said there were questions about the accuracy of people's recall of their smoking history. |
Public health minister Steve Brine said: "Britain is a world leader in tobacco control, and thanks to our tough action smoking rates in England are at an all-time low. | Public health minister Steve Brine said: "Britain is a world leader in tobacco control, and thanks to our tough action smoking rates in England are at an all-time low. |
"We recently launched a new tobacco control plan to map the path to a smoke-free generation and are working to educate people about the risks and support them to quit for good." | "We recently launched a new tobacco control plan to map the path to a smoke-free generation and are working to educate people about the risks and support them to quit for good." |
Previous version
1
Next version