I have had a history with smoking cigarettes since I was a teenager living in the UK. As someone who is now in my thirties, I can testify to the many changes that have taken place over the years, both in terms of my own attitude and that of the public at large.
Cigarette smoking is now widely perceived as an activity that comes with many risks to both your physical and mental health, not to mention the environment. In the UK, it is now mostly practised by those who are already addicted, as well as people who may remember smoking as a normal part of their lives and still take part in it intermittently.
The attitude to cigarettes has changed significantly since I started to smoke. The UK smoking ban that was introduced in 2007 was a huge change, banning smoking in all workplaces, restaurants, bars, and public places. This was followed by the introduction of graphic warnings on cigarette packets and the gradual increase in taxes on cigarettes, making them more expensive indirectly.
The introduction of bans and taxes has had visible effects. Between 2007 and 2016, there was a 15% decrease in the number of smokers in the UK. There are also changes in the type of cigarettes being used. Smokers moved away from regular branded cigarettes, opting for cheaper options such as more expensive rolling tobacco or discounted brands. E-cigarettes have also become increasingly popular in the UK, though, overall there are still over 7 million smokers in the country.
Cigarette smoking is now heavily stigmatised. There is a deep-seated understanding in the UK of the risks associated with smoking, with health warnings visible both online and on packet covers. The combination of bans, taxes, and public health messaging has shifted the cultural attitude towards smoking and those who do smoke are often characterised as irresponsible or not in touch with the risks.
Still, though smoking has decreased significantly, there are certain types of groups who remain likely to continue to participate in it. Young people who start to smoke rarely consider the long-term health consequences. I also know that there are still groups who are really passionate about cigarettes for pleasure, to the extent of buying certain brands, carefully selecting their ingredients or trying out different blends.
On the whole, it is clear that the UK are more aware of the risks related to cigarette smoking and are increasingly less likely to start smoking or, if they do, to remain in it for a prolonged period.
To those looking to quit, getting advice from a professional is the best thing you can do. In the UK there are free services such as Smokefree, that give you confidential telephone and online support, as well as medications to help support the quitting process. There are also specialised clinics that offer face-to-face counselling, which are increasingly popular.
Overall, I think it is a positive change that smoking cigarettes in the UK is now less popular than it use to be. I remember how few restrictions there were, both in terms of where you could smoke and in terms of initiatives to help people stop. I am now glad to see that the cultural understanding of its risks has evolved and that more people are making positive decisions regarding their lives and their health by quitting.