Recent research reveals a concerning trend in the UK, with up to 25% more younger middle-class women taking up smoking over the past decade, despite an overall decline in smoking rates. This finding stems from a study funded by Cancer Research UK and published in BMC Medicine. It indicates that the proportion of women aged 18-45 from higher socioeconomic backgrounds who smoke rose from 12% to 15% between 2013 and 2023, while women from less advantaged backgrounds experienced a decrease in smoking rates from 29% to 22%. Notably, smoking rates among men remained stable across all backgrounds.
Additionally, the report highlights a significant rise in the use of e-cigarettes among women of reproductive age, along with a shift from manufactured to hand-rolled cigarettes among smokers (increasing from 41% to 61%). Financial pressures exacerbated by the pandemic, including higher rates of job loss and increased household responsibilities, are suggested as possible factors driving these trends.
Considering the impact of smoking on fertility and pregnancy outcomes, the UK study underscores the need to understand socioeconomic trends and smoking behaviors among women of reproductive age for targeted interventions and resource allocation.
Meanwhile, in Australia, there has been a marked increase in the use of electronic cigarettes and vapes over the past decade, nearly tripling from 2.5% in 2019 to 7% in 2022-2023. Although daily tobacco smoking rates have declined to 8.3%, e-cigarette use is prevalent among young people, with around half of those aged 18 to 24 and one in four aged 14 to 17 reporting lifetime use. Notably, e-cigarette use is highest in areas with greater socioeconomic advantage.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports a delay in the age at which younger females initiate smoking, indicating a shift from 16.0 years in 2016 to 16.6 years in 2019. However, despite this delay, there remains a concerning proportion of females aged 18-24 who report daily smoking, highlighting ongoing tobacco-related health risks.
Overall, tobacco use remains a significant public health concern in both the UK and Australia, with efforts needed to address emerging trends, particularly among young women, and promote effective smoking cessation strategies to mitigate associated health risks.
