Men smoke to have fun, but for stressed-out women, it's all about preserving inner calm

• 56 per cent of men and 48 per cent of women smoke the most cigarettes while socialising with friends  
• Indicates smoking is more socially acceptable for men
• 33 per cent of women smoke most when stressed

By Emma Innes

Published: 08:17 EDT, 13 March 2013 | Updated: 08:19 EDT, 13 March 2013

Men smoke for fun, while women smoke to calm their nerves, a survey has revealed.

The majority of male smokers – 56 per cent – smoke most when they are out with friends, compared to 48 per cent of women, suggesting that smoking is more socially acceptable for men.

The research, which was commissioned to mark National No Smoking Day, also found that 33 per cent of female smokers smoke the most when they are stressed.

It also found that 55 per cent of smokers believe that they became addicted to the psychological habits associated with smoking before they became addicted to the nicotine.

The study found that 33 per cent of female smokers smoke the most when they are stressed

Two thirds of female smokers - and 54 per cent of male smokers - have tried to quit up to six times.

Jo Hemmings, a behavioural psychologist, said: ‘This divided behaviour suggests that smoking is seen as more socially acceptable for men.

‘This is surprising, particularly in the modern day, and could be indicative that women potentially attribute an element of shame to their smoking behaviour.’

She added: ‘As women are more likely to smoke alone as a coping mechanism, when compared to men, the psychological effects of nicotine addiction become more accelerated – if having a cigarette is a “reward” for overcoming stress or anxiety, becoming dependent on that stress reward cycle is a much faster process.

‘One of the problems with smoking is that the behavioural triggers which make people reach for a cigarette have become deeply embedded in their lives, meaning that smoking is often an auto-response, rather than a conscious decision.

‘Breaking these embedded habits can be incredibly difficult for many smokers as we can see from over a third of smokers being reluctant to give up the pleasure factor of smoking.’

The majority of male smokers - 56 per cent - smoke most when they are out with friends

The research, commissioned by SKYCIG, an e-cigarette distributor, comes at a time when a poll has suggested that one in ten smokers are ‘desperate’ to quit.

A survey, conducted on behalf of the British Heart Foundation, found that 11 per cent of smokers are desperate to kick the habit and 82 per cent of 2,000 had tried and failed to quit.

The charity is encouraging smokers to ‘swap fags for swag’ by thinking about how much money they could save if they quit.

Someone who smokes 20 cigarettes a day could save £2,555 a year if they kicked the habit, a spokeswoman said.

Research earlier this year also showed we are a national of secret smokers.

More than 30 per cent of UK smokers keep their habit under wraps, according to the study which was commissioned by E-Lites.

Also, more than 50 per cent say the person they most want to hide their habit from is their mother.

Fathers came a close second at 44 per cent with partners and children coming in at 26 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

Someone who smokes 20 cigarettes a day could save £2,555 a year if they kicked the habit

The survey of 2,000 smokers also revealed that 37 per cent of the people hiding their smoking from their parents are over 55.

With the average Briton starting smoking at 15, that means they have been lying to their parents about their smoking for 40 years.

Embarrassment is one of the main reasons for the secrecy, with 37 per cent confessing to being ashamed of being a smoker and 32 per cent not wanting their loved ones to worry about their health. 

The cost of cigarettes embarrasses 22 per cent of smokers while many underestimate how often they light up.