The tables illustrate the reasons why people decide to give up smoking and the time frame in which they intend to do so, categorised by the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Overall, improving general health is by far the most common motivation for quitting smoking, whereas family pressure is the least significant reason. In addition, a clear majority of smokers intend to give up smoking, with the largest proportion planning to do so within the next six months.
Regarding the reasons for quitting, better overall health accounts for the highest proportion, at 71% in total, regardless of smoking intensity. Financial considerations are also an important factor, representing 31% overall, while concern about smoking-related illnesses is cited by a quarter of smokers. By contrast, only 16% give up smoking due to family pressure, and those quitting because of existing health problems make up the smallest group, at 12%.
Turning to intentions to quit, 71% of smokers overall plan to give up smoking, while the remaining 29% do not. Heavy smokers (20 or more cigarettes per day) are the least likely to quit, with only 60% intending to stop, compared with over 70% among lighter smokers. In terms of timing, 35% of smokers plan to quit within the next six months, whereas smaller proportions expect to do so within the next year (21%) or within the following month (12%).