Q: How many young people smoke?
In the UK, about six per cent of 11-to 15-year-olds are regular smokers. Among 15-year-olds, about 19 per cent of girls and 12 per cent of boys smoke.
In this age group, teenage girls are the most likely to start smoking, due to the common myth that smoking keeps you slim. However, there is evidence to show that teenage girls who smoke actually have thicker waistlines. A teenager's social background also has a bearing on whether or not they smoke. Where both parents smoke, young people are four times more likely to start themselves.
The numbers of young smokers has been declining since the 1980s in line with the general population, but it is still a major issue.
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