Survey Doesn't Find Smoking Gone

Whatever its effect on the health of individuals, the cigarette industry itself does not appear to be in terminal decline, according to the latest TGI survey.

Despite bans or restrictions on smoking in many countries, the survey shows huge proportions smoking in many parts of the world and little decline in numbers. Europeans are particularly partial: 47% of Greeks and 41% of Turks smoke and even in Britain and Spain, more than a quarter are still indulging. Data collected in Britain over the past five years 'show little decline in the number of smokers' according to the firm.

TGI says smoking in Asia is 'widespread, but more gender specific'. In Indonesia, two thirds of men smoke but only 2% of women. Female smokers are disapproved of in many Middle Eastern countries.

If anything, opinion continues to polarise with two thirds of Britons and South Africans believing smoking should be banned in public places. Two thirds in Brazil and Mexico support more restrictions too.

It's often said that the most ardent anti-smokers are those who have quit – and many are trying to do so. In Russia (51%) and Poland (64%) majorities have tried to quit in the last year. Perhaps surprisingly, fewer than half those trying to quit in Britain and the US have sought the assistance of nicotine products like patches or gum.

The Global TGI network operates single-source consumer and media studies in over 50 countries worldwide, representing over a billion consumers. Operated by the KMR Group, part of WPP, it is online at www.tgisurveys.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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