Eight facts killer facts about smoking...

Today is National No Smoking day. So, to celebrate this joyous day, here are 8 facts about smoking habits in the UK; not including the fact that smoking is very likely to kill you.

1. Only one in five people smoke

Smoking fell to its lowest recorded level in 2007 – 21 per cent of the population of Great Britain aged 16 and over.

2. Smokers hate smoking

66 per cent of smokers said they wanted to give up.

3. Lighting up is not the first thing smokers do when the wake up

This one really surprised me. Every smoker I have ever known was gagging for fag first thing in the morning. According to the ONS, 17 per cent of smokers said they lit up within five minutes of waking. Heavy smokers are more likely to light up immediately and 35 per cent of those smoking 20 or more a day do so, compared with 3 per cent of those smoking fewer than 10 a day

4. The more you smoke; the more you like it

Heavier smokers are less likely to want to give up. The proportion wanting to give up in 2007 was highest among those smoking, on average, fewer than 20 cigarettes a day.

5. Smokers want to give up because of health concerns

Cancer is scary business. Health concerns are the most commonly mentioned reason for quitting, with 86 per cent of people who want to give up mentioning at least one health reason. After health, the next most commonly mentioned reasons are costs (27 per cent), family pressure (20 per cent) and the effect on children (15 per cent).

6. Smoking is a solitary business

Married or cohabiting people smoke less (18 per cent) than singles (28 per cent).

7. The less you earn, the more you smoke

Cigarette smoking is lower among households classified as professional and managerial (15 per cent) than among those classified as routine and manual (26 per cent). It follows that high cigarette taxes are highly regressive; the tax burden falls disproportionately on the poor.

8. Only the young and stupid smoke

Smoking is highest in the 20-24 age group (31 per cent) and lowest among those aged 60 and over (12 per cent).

(Data from the ONS)