Embargo: not for publication or broadcast before 00.01 am, Thursday 24 September 1998
Lone Mothers Caught in Cigarette Trap
Half of all lone mothers smoke, twice the rate of other women, while as many as three out of four (75 per cent) of the most disadvantaged lone mothers light up, according to a new report (1) released today (Thursday, 24 September).
Parents who leave school early, live in council accommodation and receive Income Support are most likely to be heavy smokers according to research carried out on behalf of the Health Education Authority (HEA) by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI). The study followed 900 lone parents between 1991 and 1996 and compared them with other women.
Smoking is still far more common among the poorest groups in society than among those with higher standards of living. The research concludes that although income is an important factor, lone parents who smoke have consistently lower morale and self-esteem than non-smokers. They are also more likely to say that their health is "not good" and to report suffering from long-term illness than non-smokers are.
Co-author of the report, Alan Marsh, of the PSI said:
"Smoking is increasingly identified with poverty. While the number of smokers in the UK has been falling since the 1970s, the number of lone mothers smoking has increased to double the national average. Not even the tobacco companies could dream of achieving such an increase, yet this is what the social and economic disadvantages of lone parenthood seem to have done to almost a million of Britain's young women."
The number of lone parent families in Britain has increased three fold in 25 years. Thereare now an estimated 1.7 million lone parent families in Britain, a quarter of all families.
The report shows that being in severe hardship and being younger, especially under 30, increase the chances of being a smoker, while staying in education after the age of 16, having some qualifications and owning a property reduce the chances. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to be unable to afford to meet some of their children's needs.
Alan Marsh said:
"We know that many people give up smoking for optimistic reasons: to look better, feel better or get better. It's very hard for many lone parents to find the optimistic frame of mind that will give them the determination to quit smoking. The hardship they experience forms a major barrier to giving up."
Poor lone parents who smoke pay millions in tobacco tax. The report estimates that lone parents on income support pay an average of £10 each per week in tobacco tax, a total of about £5 million per week or £275 million per year. The authors suggest that some of this revenue should be spent on helping them to quit smoking.
Alan Marsh added:
"Cigarettes are not optional purchases for many lone parents. They set aside their 'ciggie money' each week in the same way that they set aside money for food and fuel. Extra measures are needed to help them stop smoking."
The report suggests that help should be aimed at young lone parents, who are more likely to smoke but also more likely to try giving up. It also calls for nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches and gum) to be available free to people on means tested benefits.