Active over 50s cite keeping fit as key motivation to stop smoking

Over a third (34%) of smokers aged 50 plus would consider giving up the habit in order to improve their overall fitness, reveals research by Saga Private Medical Insurance commissioned to mark No Smoking Day. Eager to live life to the full and keep up with younger generations in their retirement years, the vast majority (88%) are open to the possibility of quitting for good.

In addition, considerate grandparents worry about the effect their smoking will have on grandchildren. Almost a fifth (16%) of smokers would even consider finishing with tobacco forever for the sake of younger ones, with those in Northern Ireland most likely to do this (24%). Almost four in five (78%) would not smoke in front of grandchildren, thus protecting them from any potentially harmful effects.

However, and quite surprisingly, the smoking ban has made little impact on the attitudes of older smokers, with only 3% having given up due to the new law and only 2% of over fifties admitting to giving up recently. Of those in this age bracket who do smoke, over three quarters (77%) have done so for over thirty years, indicating that it would take more than a change in the rules to alter the habit of a lifetime. Men are more likely to have persevered with the practice than women (84% vs 67%).

Nearly one in ten (9%) people aged over 50 currently smoke, and a determined eight out of ten (12%) of these are adamant that nothing would ever make them quit. This is despite the fact that the average 20-a-day smoker will smoke 7,300 cigarettes a year, and even if you buy cheaper brands, this still means a yearly pay out of at least £1,500 on cigarettes.

Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive, Saga Group, concluded: "Some people over 50 started smoking before many of the health worries associated with tobacco were known. Being fit is one of the top priorities for the older generation and stopping smoking is a key factor in achieving such a goal."