Smoking: Children of parents who smoke four times more likely to start, study says

Teenagers whose parents smoke are four times more likely to take it up themselves, experts have warned.

As part of a new government campaign, parents and caregivers are urged to make giving up smoking for good a new year's resolution.

The Better Health Smoke Free campaign highlights research that shows the impact adult smokers have on the young people in their lives.

It says that 4.9% of teenagers whose parents smoke have taken it up too.

By contrast, only 1.2% of teenagers whose parents do not smoke begin to do so.

A new film issued by the NHS health sees experts discuss the link.

GP Dr Nighat Arif and child psychologist Dr Bettina Hohnen called on parents to make a change to bring a benefit they say will last for decades.

Health minister Maggie Throup said she hoped the research would give parents extra motivation to quit.

"We know many people make a quit attempt in January, and while there are so many good reasons to stop smoking for yourself, we hope that this new campaign - by highlighting the inter-generational smoking link with parents influencing their children - will be the added motivation many need to ditch the cigarettes for good this year," she said.

There is help and support available for parents, carers and anyone looking to quit smoking, she added.

This includes the NHS Quit Smoking app, support on Facebook, daily emails and texts, and an online Personal Quit Plan.

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