Most smokers who hide their habit make it a point not to tell their parents, grandparents and children, according to a recent study.
Although half of the smokers interviewed are open about their habit, 70 per cent of those who hide it do so from their parents.
A further 20 per cent hide it from grandparents and 14 per cent from their children.
This emerged from a study carried out as part of the EU-wide Ex-smokers Are Unstoppable campaign that focuses on encouraging Europeans to stop smoking.
Smoking continues to be the main cause of preventable death and disease in the EU, with 29 per cent of Europeans smoking.
The campaign’s website – exsmokers.eu – offers an iCoach or digital health coach platform that helps smokers quit at their own pace.
The research carried out in Malta, among a sample size of more than 200 people, showed that 41 per cent were smokers and 12 per cent were ex-smokers.
Many smokers, 44 per cent, felt smoking prevented them from feeling healthy and in control of their health or from practising sports. A further 10 per cent said it caused problems in bars.
Around a third said that they found it toughest to resist having a cigarette when socialising with other smokers, when drinking alcohol and after a meal. Others found it difficult to resist when stressed and first thing in the morning.
A third of respondents said they would feel proud if they never smoked again and a similar percentage thought they would feel healthy and motivated to maintain their health. However, 19.8 per cent said it would make them anxious and 14 per cent said they would feel less sociable.
The survey found that the most helpful factors in quitting smoking were willpower and motivation. In fact, the biggest barrier to giving up smoking was lack of willpower.
The “positive” aspects of smoking included stress management and enjoying a smoke when drinking.
More than a quarter, 28 per cent, expressed a wish to quit smoking within a year and 14 per cent said they wanted to quit but over a longer period.