Why it is easier for men to give up smoking

Men are better at giving up smoking – even though women are keener to quit, a study has found. The researchers believe that women may find it harder to kick the habit because their confidence in quitting is lower – and because tobacco plays a different role in their lives. And although many female smokers give up while pregnant, they often start again once the child is born. The study found that while women may be highly motivated to quit, they are actually less likely to succeed than men. Meanwhile, older smokers were better at quitting than younger ones, the study found. Researchers looked at studies from between 1990 and 2007 to work out the success rates for NHS schemes to help people stop. Fewer smokers looked to the NHS for help in quitting in disadvantaged areas (52.6 per cent) than elsewhere (57.9 per cent), although the proportion of those treated for smoking related illnesses was higher. But those from poorer areas were slightly more successful in giving up. The analysis was carried out by scientists from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and from the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies. 'For example, because gender, ethnicity, class, age and level of dependency affect success in giving up smoking, tailored interventions may help to improve cessation rates,' a spokesman said. 'In the case of pregnant women, two reviews of NHS smoking cessation services provide evidence that the most effective treatment for pregnant smokers includes elements such as systematic training of midwives in how to refer pregnant smokers, flexible home visits, and providing intensive multi-session treatments delivered by a small number of dedicated staff. 'To achieve government targets will require both the development of more innovative cessation interventions for some specific groups of smokers and recognition that tobacco control policy will need to take account of the unique challenges these groups face when trying to quit smoking.'