Most girls would not like to marry smokers: Survey

Mumbai, Feb 20 (UNI) As many as 67 per cent girls would not date a smoker while 75 per cent of them say they will not marry a smoker, according to a study conducted by Ormax Consultants on behalf of the NGO ''Salaam Bombay Foundation''.

The study found that 47 per cent of the youth want to be in a smoke-free environment only and were never comfortable with having a smoker near them.

The study was entitled, ''Attitude of the youth on smoking and tobacco usage amongst themselves and their partners''.

Speaking to reporters here, Salaam Bombay Foundation Project Director Devika Chaddha said, ''Since 2002 Salaam Bombay has been working extensively with young people. We wanted to know more about the perceptions that youngsters had on tobacco users. The fact, that so many women feel smoking is uncool, or find a smoker repulsive should be an eye-opener for both active and vulnerable smokers.'' Elucidating on few other findings of the study, Ms Chaddha said 87 per cent of South Mumbai girls think its ''uncool to smoke'', and nearly nine out of ten girls said they did not find smokers or tobacco users attractive.

The study discovered that 46.4 per cent of the smokers catch the habit due to peer pressure. As many as 30.4 per cent of the smokers said they smoked to combat stress and tension.

Ace hairstylist Coleen Khan Affonso spoke about the indifference which the 18-20 years group had to the dangers caused by smoking. ''Many in the age group 18-20 take to it due to peer influence, and unfortunately only later they realize the immense harm it causes-to one's skin, hair and overall health,'' Coleen said.

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