In the UK, approximately 207,000 children aged 11-15 start smoking every year. This is according to new research from Cancer Research UK, which shows that this shocking wellness statistic has jumped by an extra 50,000 from the previous year, when 157,000 kids started smoking.
The new figure means that, on a daily basis, nearly 570 children are putting their wellbeing at risk and becoming smokers for the first time. According to an analysis of data, the 2010 figure was unusually low and this most recent figure is similar to the numbers seen in the late 2000s. Eight out of 10 adult smokers start before they turn 19, and at roughly 27% of under 16s, or one million children, have tried smoking at least once.
In 2010, a survey of 12 year-olds discovered that none were regular smokers, 1% reported that they smoked occasionally and 2% said they used to smoke. However, in the same group of children a year later, now aged 13, the regular smokers went from non-existent to 2%, the occasional smokers increased fourfold and 3% said that they used to smoke. With 100,000 people being killed by smoking in the UK each year, and so many starting smoking from such a young age, Cancer Research UK has urged the government to commit to plain, standardised packaging of tobacco.
There was a public consultation on the future of tobacco packaging, but this closed in August 2012 and since then there has been no decision announced from the government on whether this will proceed. According to research, your children are less likely to go for plain packs, or to be misled by the sophisticated marketing techniques designed to make smoking attractive to youngsters.
According to Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy and information, ‘With such a large number of youngsters starting to smoke every year, urgent action is needed to tackle the devastation caused by tobacco. Replacing slick, brightly coloured packs that appeal to children with standard packs displaying prominent health warnings, is a vital part of efforts to protect health. Reducing the appeal of cigarettes with plain, standardised packs will give millions of children one less reason to start smoking.’
She added, ‘These figures underline the importance of sustained action to discourage young people from starting. Smoking kills and is responsible for at least 14 different types of cancer. Standardised packaging is popular with the public and will help protect children. We urge the government to show their commitment to health and introduce plain, standardised packs as soon as possible.’
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