Social Smoking Increasing Amongst Young Women

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Marji_200715_3A study recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease suggests that the frequency of light smoking has increased for young women in the U.S.

The study surveyed 9,789 women between the ages of 18 and 25 who took part in the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the U.S. Overall, out of the 9,789 participants, 4,069 never smoked, 2,756 were former smokers, and 2,964 (approximately 30%) were current smokers.

Researchers discovered that light smoking has become more attractive among young women entering adulthood. In fact, most young women who smoked were considered very light smokers (five cigarettes or less per day).

Amongst young adult female smokers surveyed, just over 62% were considered very light smokers, while 26.7% were considered light smokers, and 10.8% were heavy smokers. Approximately 71% of very light smokers didn’t smoke on a daily basis.

The study also found that the people who never smoked were less likely to report lifetime depression and psychological distress in the past month compared to the very light smokers. The “never-smokers” were also less likely to drink heavily or use illegal drugs compared to light smokers.

Study authors conclude that health educators who work with young females should recognize the popularity of light smoking amongst this group and create “smoking cessation programs” tailored toward these women.

Image copyright 2011, Catrin Austin

Source for Today’s Article:
MacGill, M., “Young women increasingly attracted to social smoking,” Medical News Today web site, July 20, 2015; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/296993.php.