To be flabbergasted that more than 20% of the population still smoke - really?!?

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've just heard this on Radio 5 If someone had asked me what I thought was the percentage I'd have guessed about 5%?

Anyone else surprised? I know about 300 people roughly and I don't know anyone that smokes. In my family I know one, my BIL, who does.

Anyone else surprised by that statistic?

BertieBotts I agree with your point on polarisation. With respect to class all I think that proves is people's attitudes to smoking in public / admitting that they smoke.

I thought it was more tbh.

My dad died, because he smoked.
My mum has a smoking related disease and is killing herself with fags. As is my FIL.
I see people every day killing themselves with fags "just one can't hurt can it?"

And those of you smokers that walk down the street, wafting your cigarette in my face, so that my daughter and I have to breathe those evil carcinogenic fumes - I actually loathe you all. Where is my choice for clean air? This happens to me on a daily basis.

I hate smokers.

It's lovely for non smokers to know that they are not going to die of anything serious!!

BMW6

Inhaling smokers fumes when walking down the street is the least of my problems, btw.
And bizarrely the people I know who smoke are upper middle class professionals.

Hardly true BMW7 and not really the point. I don't understand why someone would do something that they know is likely to harm them. But I suppose I am lucky for never starting in the first place.

And actually inhaling other peoples smoke really does bother me, just because its not a big deal for some people doesn't mean that its right, surely?

This is an emotive subject for me so I best walk away.

I think lots of smokers just don't consider the future effects of their actions. They are in some kind of denial. Or make their own choices health wise and choose to risk it.

Inhaling the occasional breath of smoke when you are outside is not dangerous though. Or possibly not more dangerous than inhaling car fumes. Unless of course you live in the middle of nowhere, where there is no pollution.

My work brings me into contact with the public ranging from people on benefits to billionaires.
Without a doubt there is a social bias. Lower income = smoking.

I find it fascinating when I meet smokers. I find it incredible that anyone smokes these days. I detest smoking. Fortunately nobody I mix with smokes, I'm embarrassed to say I would really struggling to spend time with a smoker.

I quit for three years, started again last summer but found out I was pregnant (total surprise we were told it was impossible!) in november so quit again. Im due in July and plan to start smoking again after Ive had the baby.

I love it, i love the taste, i love the smell, i love the feeling, i love the solitude of a cigarete and five minutes reflection in the back garden. I love it.

Yes I know it is unhealthy, I know it will probably kill me one way or another. I accept that risk and take my chance. I would rather live my life doing something I enjoy a lot fully informed etc knowing it will be a shorter one, than denying myself a simple pleasure for an extra 10 years of what will no doubt be ill health and any way.

It is my choice and my free will.

I also don't care if people want to take risks with their health by smoking. I care about having to breathe in smoke as I walk around. I felt capable of murder when some stupid women flicked ash in my pram as she stood chatting with her pal. Look what you are doing you stupid cow

I dont drive, I dont want to breathe in exhaust fumes. Tough really innit!

I'm not surprised. I'd have estimated that 20% of the people I know smoke. What disappoints me most is that 3 of my teenage nieces and nephews are smoking and addicted. I can't understand why anyone starts smoking these days as it's so massively socially unacceptable now. Obviously still cool in the playground

Someone has to subsidise the NHS considering the amount of tax paid on cigarettes how else do you think the NHS would be funded if people did not smoke? Theoretically smokes pay for their own cancer treatment, two fold.

I am surprised. Like you, I only know one smoker - my brother. I don't understand why people continue when they know it will kill them. It's why I never started :)

Also has anyone noticed how many people including clebs who smoke on Big Brother. I always find it quite astonishing.

I'd say about half of my friends smoke. All mid 20's, university educated and middle class.

They don't actually "know" that it will kill them though. Lots of people who smoke die of something else including just being old.

BatCave, I can understand why you'd feel that way (and I'm sorry for it). There isn't a defence or comeback for that, at all. That's the smoking conundrum.

Completely agree re: cigarette height and pram height. I think that sort of thing is why a lot of people don't smoke in public. I know I used to be very aware of it and wouldn't smoke in public for reasons like that.

Loads of students smoke, especially if they are into the goth/metal scene.

Definitely a socio-economic thing.

Walk round Poundstretchers or Iceland and you can just smell that stale smoke coming off the customers!

They don't actually "know" that it will kill them though

True. Smoking kills only half of long-term smokers. So you don't know which half you will be in. So 50/50. Great odds eh?

i always find this odd when i meet people who say they don't know anyone who smokes. Most people i know do. People are attracted to those who do similar things.

Like likes like and like likes what like finds.

I find it quite patronising when people assume (because they can't possibly comprehend doing something) that the reason people smoke is some level of denial or inability to think ahead. Quite often those smokers know exactly the consequences, but just don't care.

A friend died (young) of cancer, he smoked up to the end and his wife still does.

My fag smoke doesnt smell half as bad as some of the attitudes I get from non-smokers.

Thing is there is lots of space in the outside world, the only people i see smoking outside who are standing around puffing. Pretty easy to avoid them

Are not *who are

I have never smoked, but have a huge, unhealthy choccie biccie vice plus a penchant for risk sports. We are all going to die of something deeply unpleasant. Having said that, smoking related diseases are definitely in the nastier than average category and mean you are more likely to drop at 50 or 60 than 80 or 90. It is also totally unaffordable in a recession, so if you smoke, don't moan that you are short of cash, OK?