THE Scottish Government initiative to produce a tobacco-free generation of young people by 2034 is being jeopardised by an uptake in smoking because of Covid-19.

A survey by analysts Mintel found that more than half of smokers were stress-smoking more during the pandemic.

The poll also found that 10% of all smokers in the UK have started smoking again after quitting, due to the strain of the pandemic.

Young people in particular are taking refuge in the habit, with 39% of smokers aged 18-34 saying they are now smoking more regularly.

Overall, 30% of smokers are indulging more regularly since the start of the pandemic.

Roshida Khanom, one of the directors at the Mintel market research firm, said: “The pandemic has elevated stress levels ... there has been a peak amongst young smokers where increased unemployment and job uncertainty is likely to have driven [smoking] rates.

“These added stressors may be the reason for the disconnect between smokers’ health concerns and their habits. Despite seven in 10 considering their respiratory health more important to them, smoking rates are up.”

ASH Scotland is concerned by the findings, with chief executive Sheila Duffy saying: ”Smoking can feel like stress relief because it relieves cravings for nicotine or gives you something to do, or makes you take a moment.

“But quitting is real stress relief, and people who have never smoked or got through quitting tend to report better wellbeing than people still smoking.

“A recent review suggested that even six weeks after quitting smoking, the effect on your mood can be similar to taking anti-depressants.”

ASH Scotland also believes that now is the time to redouble efforts in Government corridors to address the issue.

Duffy said: “Aiming for a generation free from tobacco by 2034, with cigarettes hardly noticed or used by the generation growing up, is worth striving for. Changes in habits like these put this target in jeopardy and the Scottish Government needs a renewed focus on tobacco and to make policies and interventions to drive us towards those stated goals.”

Reflecting on the Scottish Government’s mission statement in 2013, Minister for Health and Sport Aileen Campbell said: “Scotland is one of the only countries in the world to have set a target to raise a tobacco-free generation.

“Our aim is to protect children born since 2013 from tobacco so that when they start to turn 21 (from 2034) they will truly be tobacco-free and will come of age in a Scotland that will remain tobacco-free for generations to come.

The analysts said that smoking was seen as a “small vice” at a difficult time, when there is little else to distract people from their worries during lockdown.

Khanom added: “While the easing of lockdown restrictions will tackle loneliness and boredom, two factors that have boosted smoking rates, it will take more to reverse the habits developed during the prolonged periods of lockdown.”

The anti-smoking lobby is empathetic with those smokers who have found life particularly difficult in lockdown, and have become ever more reliant on their habit, but urges that smoking in confined spaces is even more damaging.

Duffy added: “During lockdown, people have had to stay indoors much more. Advice, as always, has been to take smoking right outside where you can.

“If this isn’t possible for you, maybe smoke in a different room from others and keep a window open, or if you want help and advice to quit, contact Scotland’s Quit Your Way support service by phone, online, or ask at your local pharmacy.”

ASH Scotland believes that Covid-19 has put an even greater stress on people and warns that smoking and the pandemic is a deadly cocktail.

Duffy cautioned: “There is evidence to suggest that smoking can worsen the symptoms of Covid. Apart from that, smoking tobacco causes lung cancer and various other cancers, heart disease, stroke and many other health problems.

“Breathing tobacco smoke for even half an hour has immediate harmful effects on your heart and blood, and longer term as well as longer health risks, and children are at risk from tobacco smoke.”

She was keen to stress that there was help at hand for those who wanted to give up smoking and repeated that there were resources there in these Covid times to provide support.

She said: “For some people, quitting smoking is easier than they expected and for others it can be challenging and take a few quit attempts to learn what works.

“Evidence does suggest that smoking can worsen the severity of a Covid-19 infection, so it is more important than ever that people who want to quit smoking have access to the help and support they need to be successful.”

Visit NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way Service at www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 84 84 84