Despite the well-publicised harmful effects of smoking, in many cases resulting in premature death, almost a third of the Maltese population are smokers.

According to our latest survey, 29.7 per cent of the population smoke, with male smokers outnumbering females by 32.9 to 26.5 per cent. The 'filthy habit' is strongest among the 36-50 age bracket, at 35.6 per cent, but it is disconcertingly high even among the youngest age group (16-25), at 31.9 per cent.

In the last 40 years or so, there has been increasing awareness of the serious health dangers associated with smoking; warnings from the World Health Organisation and from medical authorities have become more frequent, yet smoking persists among a substantial proportion of our population.

A disturbing aspect resulting from our survey is that while those aged over 35 may not have been fully aware of the harmful effects of smoking, and thus find it difficult to give up the habit they may have acquired in their teens, the proportion of young people, even those aged under 16, who smoke or who take up smoking, is alarmingly high.

The young generation certainly have no excuse that they are unaware of the health hazards associated with smoking. Smoking is forbidden by law in most public places, and warnings on cigarette packets have never been so direct. Yet young people, especially females, continue to take up smoking in fairly large numbers.

Nor does the financial burden associated with the smoking habit seem to be a sufficient deterrent. And we all know that in practically Budget after Budget, governments resort to additional taxes on cigarettes as a sure-fire revenue-raiser. According to our findings, more than half of those who smoke spend over Lm20 a week on cigarettes. Two-thirds of female smokers fall into this category.

One positive aspect of the findings is that of the 70 per cent who said they were non-smokers, 30 per cent said they used to smoke but gave up. Among these, only seven per cent, however, had been heavy smokers. Most of those who quit smoking said they did so out of their own free will, but a good percentage cited health reasons. Very few said they stopped smoking because of the financial cost involved.

Obviously, peer pressure is the main reason for people, especially young people, to start smoking. Almost 60 per cent said they were influenced by friends. Of course, the desire to try cigarettes - and become addicted as a result - is another major factor. This is why it is important to conduct anti-smoking campaigns in schools, since the habit is usually picked up in one's early teens. Some young people picking up the habit do this as a way of defying their parents' strictures.

There is also the dangerous, and mistaken, idea that smoking calms a person down and offers some relief from tension. Others light up whenever they feel 'lonely'. Surely picking up a book is more rewarding and much safer!

With governments realising the enormous social cost of smoking, we have had a long list of prohibitions in attempts to limit the habit. Advertising of tobacco products, and sponsorships (even, ironically, of sporting events!) have been stopped; obligatory warnings started to be printed on cigarette packs, and smoking has been prohibited from theatres, buses, offices and - most controversially - bars and restaurants.

A majority of our respondents think that the anti-smoking laws are being generally observed. However, almost 70 per cent are convinced that they are ignored in bars and restaurants. In fact, although the defiance of the ban in these establishments is widespread, one hears of very few offenders being taken to court by the police.

Random inspections should be carried out at these places by plainclothes police, but not only these places - workplaces too should be subject to such inspections. The dangers of passive smoking cannot be underestimated, yet countless employees and patrons of bars and restaurants are subjected to it, despite the prohibition.

One step the government should take to step up the campaign against smoking is to make warnings on cigarette packets even stronger: according to our findings, 82 per cent of the Maltese (including smokers) agree; warnings abroad are graphic, with pictures showing the effect of smoking on lungs and teeth. That would be an effective way of driving the message home.