Young ‘stress-smoking’ more in pandemic

ALMOST two fifths of young people are smoking more in lockdown due to stress, research published today shows.

Some 39 per cent of smokers aged 18-34 say they are smoking more and over half (51 per cent) of smokers are “stress-smoking” since the start of the pandemic.

Overall, 30 per cent are smoking more regularly, while a further 10 per cent of all smokers have taken up smoking again after quitting and more than four in 10 (42 per cent) of e-cigarette users are vaping more. Two thirds (65 per cent) of smokers acknowledge they are worried that the virus is more dangerous to them because of their habit.

A further seven in 10 (69 per cent) say that their respiratory health is more important to them now than before the pandemic, the survey of 1,935 adults aged over 18 in October by consumer analyst Mintel shows.

Roshida Khanom at Mintel said: “The pandemic has elevated stress and this has seen an increase in smoking frequency. There is a lot to be worried about, especially among young smokers who have health concerns and financial woes. There has been a peak among young smokers where increased unemployment and job uncertainty is likely to have driven rates.”

Ms Khanom added that ineffective advertising by nicotine replacement therapy brands and a lack of new smoking cessation products have “made it harder for smokers to quit”.

“While chemists and grocers remained open during the 2020 lockdowns, access to expert help/advice has been limited, with pharmacists facing more pressure and reduced capacity.”