Number Of Smokers In England Drops To All-Time Low

[mikey4444]

I thought we needed some good news for a change :::

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/20/number-of-uk-smokers-falls-to-lowest-level

Remarkable change in peoples habits, although the hard core smokers are still difficult to reach. Not sure how to get the message over to them.

[Hopkirk]

Disgusting habit.

[mikey4444]

Yes, Hoppy, I agree. But why is it less disgusting to uneducated, poorer people ?

[goodgoalie]

Mikey, I'm amazed that people can still afford to smoke, with packets of twenty about £9, and hand-rolling tobacco at the same price because now it must be bought in large pouches. How does anyone on a low income pay for it? Add to that the fact that it's all hidden away now, and it's surprising that there's anybody left still indulging.

[mikey4444]

Goalie...I agree...it is puzzling. But I guess that addicts will always find the funds from somewhere.

If a married couple both smoked on 1 pack of cigarettes a day each, that would be £126 a week, £6552 a year !

That is almost twice my monthly mortgage payments !

[ummmm]

They aren't difficult to reach, they just find it hard to give up.

[Barsel]

There will always be some who can't or don't want to give up although I have known people who I thought would never give up in a million years, but they did.If the price of cigarettes/tobacco continues to rise, then hopefully it will discourage the young ones of today (who can't can't afford to smoke) to give up.

[mikey4444]

Ummm...I have every sympathy with smokers that want to give up. I stopped smoking when I was 25, and there wasn't any of the help around then, that there is now.

But I am still puzzled why poorer, less well educated people should find it more difficult to to give up, than other groups of people ?

I am watching a group of neighbours in the Council houses opposite, and they are all smoking.

[maggiebee]

I think that if you are addicted to any substance - cigarettes, alcohol or prescription/non prescription drugs etc it is very difficult to give up. You really have to want to give up to be successful; not sure all are.

[ummmm]

Less well educated people is a tad insulting.

[Ryzen]

Mikey..you just answered your own question.If you mix with smokers ..you will generally remain a smoker.

[maggiebee]

Could you not just have said neighbours mickey? Did you have to mention that they lived in council houses - lots of very respectable people live in council houses.

[emmie]

1 in 6 apparently still smoke, that is still far too high and the young are often targeted..

[mikey4444]

Maggie...yes of course they do. My parents lived in Council housing up until their deaths, I was brought up one one, and one of my brothers still does.

But all of the people I have mentioned living opposite are "out of work", so I am not sure how that can even afford to spend such huge sums of money on cigarettes.

[ummmm]

It's not your business!!

Move if it bothers you that much.

[aelmpvw]

i imagine that the black market in tobacco products is vast ...

[fender62]

i still smoke, but prepared to give, working on it slow process though
example my daughter mentioned copd that i know well after my father
so yea i will make a start, specially when she said i need you to be here for longer....

[Baldric]

Up to date good News would be better

This article is 9 months old
Denis Campbell Health policy editor
Tuesday 20 September 2016

[mikey4444]

Fender ...I wish you every success.

If I hadn't have given up smoking nearly 40 years ago,
I probably would't still be here now, or, if I were, I would be out of pocket to the tune of at least £150 week ....just about what my Old Age Pension will be worth next summer.

[Mamyalynne]

I really don't mind your non smoking stance but you do yourself no favours Mikey by being insulting when you do it.

Perhaps next time you need a crossword answer and a parse you could ask us uneducated smokers not to bother asking.

Glad the numbers are falling.