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?

PMSL at the attempt to make out smokers are performing some sort of public service. I'm sure if you all managed to give up puffing tomorrow we'd find something else to have a larf at

Both my parents are smokers.

As soon as I registered the smell (around the time I started school, when I realised not everyone smelt bad) I stopped cuddling them. I still don't because they reek. I love them but the smell is so repulsive I just can't. I told them I hated it and have begged them for years to stop but they mustn't love me enough. Their coughs are horrendous and I know I'm going to lose them soon from it.

Their house has been on the market for over 3 years and they are baffled as to why it won't sell...it stinks and the 'white' ceilings are yellow.

Without smoking my parents would be happier, richer and have better relationships with me and DB.

Couldn't care less about tax...just want ^ that.

I don't know what to think, my Mom lived til she was 79.5 yrs and smoked heavily most of her life, my brother died 55 yrs, Veggie, moderate drinker and never smoked. No sense at all.

I'm beginning to think 'What the hell, you only live once!'

I know more smokers than non smokers, I live in a deprived area of a poor county in Scotland.
My dh and I smoke, but our house does not ming because he smokes in the garden, I only smoke at work.
We are both thin and eat healthily.
I know the health risks, but currently have a 1 in 7 risk of dying a lot sooner, from something far more serious than a possible smoking related illness.

The smokers I know range from my Dr, and local pharmacist, to the huge group of school kids that smoke in the bus shelter opposite my house.

Personally, I don't give a flying monkeys of other's opinion of my smoking. I smoke because I enjoy it. When I stop enjoying it, I will stop.

As for all the judgy attitudes on here If those attitudes were about any other issue, such as obesity, or drinking, the posters would be shouted down.

My grandfather died of emphysema, 12 years after suffering from throat cancer that was successfully treated and from which point on he stopped smoking - only for the consequences of smoking to catch up with him anyway.

I used to smoke. Started when I was 13, stopped when I was 30 and began TTC. During that time I averaged about 30 a day (along with copious amounts of alcohol during my 20s). During that time, I was also a sports fanatic and ran the London Marathon. The first thing I did when I crossed the finish line and collapsed was light up. I haven't smoked for 6 years.

About half of my friends smoke. I don't like the smell of it, particularly when stale and when I vist their houses and come away with everything - including shoes and bag - stinking of smoke. Do I say anything? No. Their house, their body. I could always choose not to go there, but do you know what, I actually like these people so much that I am prepared to put up with the smell of smoke as a part of the package. Their company is more than worth it and I care enough about them that I don't want to make them feel like shit so I don't comment on the smell or their smoking. I hated it when people did that to me when I smoked and always swore I'd never become a holier-than-thou ex-smoker. In return, they pay me the respect of not smoking in my house when they visit me. And we're all happy. I don't judge them for smoking; they don't feel like I'm a sanctimonious pain in the arse.

Smoking is addictive. Most people take it up believing they will be able to stop when they want to. That's why young people still start smoking despite knowing the risks. They know the effects tended to be cumulative over time - no one falls down dead from a single cigarette. Most assume they can have a bit of fun for a few years and stop when they want to. It's a bit of shock when they can't. It's not like people are stood there going "wey hey, I really feel like poisoning my body today just to annoy everyone else."

Smoking is visible/(smellable?) to the rest of the population so it's an easy one to judge. Less so are things like alcohol or food, which people can abuse for decades before any physical signs become obvious. No one is perfect.

I am in my 50s and very few people that I know still smoke (but my DH does). However both DSs 21 and 19 who are at Uni smoke (roll ups) as does nearly every friend they have ever brought home. I loath smoking but love my DH and my sons and it is naive of an earlier OP to say "her parents didn't love her enough to give up". It is an addiction!

Only read OP but I am surprised it is only 20%. I know a lot of people who smoke. When I go out with all of my friends for the evening, loads of them disappear every now and again for a fag outside...

I see a lot of people smoking, (as people have to go outside to smoke nowadays) but don't personally know many smokers any more (ex-smoker but not a heavy one myself) Most women I know gave up when pregnant and didn't really go back to it. I am not too surprised by 20%, but it's not in my circles.
Roll-ups are a cheaper option and favoured by the poor and thrifty, and much nicer no I really don't want one!