A number of factors are responsible for more girls smoking than boys, according to Amanda Sandford, research manager at Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
"There is a major concern over weight and image, which is perpetuated by (pictures of) models," said Sandford.
After peaking at 30 per cent in 1996, the number of regular smokers in the 11 to 15 age group overall has since tailed off. This is down to more stringent legislation over issues such as tobacco advertising and increasing taxation, which Sandford said was a major issue in preventing young people from smoking.
She believes youth workers could do their bit by discouraging smoking at places such as youth clubs.
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