Male vs. Female Smoking

Around 1 billion men in the world smoke cigarettes, mainly because it is portrayed as a masculine habit. Over 300 million men in China smoke cigarettes, which is equal to the entire population of the U.S. Around 250 million women in the United States are daily smokers. The tobacco industry uses seductive but false images to interest women. Tobacco companies have started producing cigarettes specifically aimed at women, claiming they are feminised because of the long, slim, low-tar, and sometimes menthol. Statistics show that women are more highly motivated to smoke than men, and often find it more difficult to quit.

                                                               Smoking Trends

                                                               percentage of female smokers

                                                               1960-2000 selected countries

                                                             Japan             UK             USA

                                                  1960:    13%              42%            34%

                                                  1970:    16%              44%            32%

                                                  1980:    14%              37%            30%

                                                  1990:    14%              29%            23%

                                                  2000:    14%              26%            22%

Citation:

Jr., Dennis Thompson. "Men, Women, and the Dangers of Smoking" Web. 18 May 2011. <http://www.everydayhealth.com/smoking-and-gender-differences.aspx>.