New research found that during the first lockdown, the number of young people in England who smoked increased by a quarter-but more people successfully quit the habit.
Compared with before the coronavirus pandemic, the number of smokers has increased by hundreds of thousands. Cancer Research UK show.
The charity stated that there has been a 25% increase in smokers between the ages of 18 and 34, which means an increase of more than 652,000 young people.
Researchers from University College London and the University of Sheffield stated that the prevalence of high-risk alcohol consumption has increased in all groups (40%), but women (55%) and people with poor backgrounds (64%).
More positively, the researchers also found that the number of smokers who successfully quit smoking has increased.
They said that compared with before the pandemic, the number of people who successfully quit smoking during the lockdown in all groups has increased by 99%.
The paper published in Addiction magazine said: “In short, the first Covid-19 lockdown and increase in England from March to July 2020 smokes The prevalence among young people and the prevalence of high-risk drinking among all socio-demographic groups has increased.
“Smoking cessation activities have also increased: more young smokers try to quit during the lockdown, and more smokers successfully quit.
“However, the socio-economic differences in drinking behavior patterns are obvious: women and women with lower social status have increased high-risk drinking more, but only among people with higher social status are attempts to reduce alcohol increased.”
According to Cancer Research UK, smoking is the largest preventable cause of cancer and is known to cause at least 15 different types of diseases.
The charity added that small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of seven different types of cancer.
Dr Sarah Jackson, lead author and lead researcher at University College London, said: “The first lockdown is unprecedented in the way people change their daily lives.
“We found that many smokers took this opportunity to quit smoking, which is great.
“However, the first lockdown was also a period of great stress for many people, and we have seen an increase in smoking rates and high-risk alcohol consumption among the groups most affected by the pandemic.
“It is important to pay close attention to how the increase in smoking and alcohol consumption develops over time to ensure that anyone who needs it gets the appropriate support.”
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research UK, said: “Public health campaigns and preventive services play a vital role in helping people quit smoking and stay motivated by those who have made positive changes. .
“The upcoming British tobacco control plan is a key opportunity for the government to reduce smoking rates, but this can only be achieved through sufficient investment.
“Smoke-free funds use tobacco industry funds, but without industry intervention, they can pay for the comprehensive measures needed to prevent people from starting to smoke and help smokers quit.”
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the health charity Action for Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “It takes quick action to reverse this worrying trend.
“More and more young adult smokers are a time bomb, because smoking is an addiction, it puts people on the road to premature death and disability that is hard to escape.
“The government promised to announce a new tobacco control plan this year. This is welcome.
“However, if needed, the new data provides evidence that unless the plan is ambitious and well-funded, it will not be able to achieve the government’s goal of becoming a smoke-free government by 2030.”
