Smoking among young, middle-class women has increased by more than 25% over the past decade, according to a new study.
In contrast, smoking rates have declined among working-class women.
Using data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, an ongoing monthly survey of adults in England, researchers from University College London (UCL) examined the smoking habits of 197,266 people, including 44,052 women in childbearing age (18 to 45 years).
They found that smoking rates among more advantaged women increased from 11.7% to 14.9% between 2013 and 2023, while rates among women from lower socioeconomic groups fell by 28.7%. % to 22.4%.
Smoking rates among men have remained stable throughout the decade.
Meanwhile, vaping among all women aged 18 to 45 has more than tripled in a decade.
Nearly a fifth (19.7%) of women reported vaping in 2023, an increase from 5.1% in 2013.
The reasons why young, middle-class women smoke more were “unclear”, according to lead author Dr Sharon Cox.
“However, it may be that the financial pressures of smoking had less influence on this group,” she said.
Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, said it was “concerning” to see more women in this group smoking.
“Reducing smoking is particularly important among women in this age group, because smoking reduces fertility and increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, miscarriage and poor infant health.”
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The study also reveals that the majority of smokers use roll-ups: 54%, compared to 42% in 2013.
This was particularly pronounced among women aged 18 to 45, where 61.4% reported smoking mainly or exclusively hand-rolled cigarettes, compared to 40.5%.
Researchers said the cost of living crisis may have affected the finances of the most disadvantaged women and, therefore, their desire to smoke. This may also have led to a shift toward cheaper, hand-rolled tobacco.
The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and published in BMC Medicine.
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Smoking among young, middle-class women has increased by more than 25% over the past decade, according to a new study.
In contrast, smoking rates have declined among working-class women.
Using data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, an ongoing monthly survey of adults in England, researchers from University College London (UCL) examined the smoking habits of 197,266 people, including 44,052 women in childbearing age (18 to 45 years).
They found that smoking rates among more advantaged women increased from 11.7% to 14.9% between 2013 and 2023, while rates among women from lower socioeconomic groups fell by 28.7%. % to 22.4%.
Smoking rates among men have remained stable throughout the decade.
Meanwhile, vaping among all women aged 18 to 45 has more than tripled in a decade.
Nearly a fifth (19.7%) of women reported vaping in 2023, an increase from 5.1% in 2013.
The reasons why young, middle-class women smoke more were “unclear”, according to lead author Dr Sharon Cox.
“However, it may be that the financial pressures of smoking had less influence on this group,” she said.
Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, said it was “concerning” to see more women in this group smoking.
“Reducing smoking is particularly important among women in this age group, because smoking reduces fertility and increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, miscarriage and poor infant health.”
Learn more:
Vaping Causes DNA Damage Similar to Tobacco: Study
Two were reported to prosecutors after videos showed toddlers vaping
Free vapes distributed to smokers could help thousands quit smoking: study
The study also reveals that the majority of smokers use roll-ups: 54%, compared to 42% in 2013.
This was particularly pronounced among women aged 18 to 45, where 61.4% reported smoking mainly or exclusively hand-rolled cigarettes, compared to 40.5%.
Researchers said the cost of living crisis may have affected the finances of the most disadvantaged women and, therefore, their desire to smoke. This may also have led to a shift toward cheaper, hand-rolled tobacco.
The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and published in BMC Medicine.
Read more on Sky News:
Dozens arrested after fraudulent site taken offline
What is cloud seeding and did it cause record rainfall in Dubai?
Tap here to follow Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts
This is Rishi Sunak’s flagship ban aimed at stopping younger generations from smoking. clears first parliamentary hurdle.
The Prime Minister wants to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes each year to gradually eliminate the habit, as well as restrict the sale of vaping products.