NUMBERS GAME: Smoking

A quarter of girls and one-fifth of boys are regular smokers by the age of 15. Although the figures for 11-year-old smokers are reassuringly low, at one per cent for both genders, the numbers take a leap when children enter their teens and again a year later. Fifteen-year-olds are 22 times more likely to smoke than 11-year-olds.

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.

Figures come from Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2001, which was carried out for the Department of Health. For the full report visit www.doh.gov.uk/public/sddsurvey01.htm.