Editor’s Picks: Smoking surge in young during Covid lockdown
Honorary Editor, Dr Alex Pollard, wishes to bring to your attention a recent study, by University College London, which found that England saw a rise in young adults taking up smoking during the first lockdown.
The number of 18 to 34-year-olds who classed themselves as smokers increased by a quarter, from 21.5% to 26.8%, says Cancer Research UK. The data does not explain why the changes occurred but experts believe many turned to cigarettes in response to stress.
This study highlights the important role that dentists, hygienists and therapists play in talking to patients about smoking habits and warning of the dangers, especially to younger patients.