Smokers perceive smoking to be trendy

Among ICICI Lombard-GfK Mode survey respondents, only 4 in 10 smokers have health insurance

Smokers in India still perceive smoking to be trendy. According to a survey by ICICI Lombard General Insurance and market research firm GfK Mode, only about 4 in 10 smokers had a health insurance, among the survey respondents. This meant that the other 58% respondents did not have a health insurance.

The 'ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits 2013' survey showed that almost half of the smokers continue smoking as they feel that smoking in limits does not leads to health issues. In terms of perceptions about smoking, apart from viewing it as trendy, smokers are aware that it causes lung cancer and perceive it to be a stress reliever.

Across all the cities surveyed, majority of the smokers smoke more than once in a day. Kolkata led the pack with 97% respondents saying that they smoked more than once a day. Further, Mumbai has one-third of the respondents smoking 7-10 cigarettes a day.

Data from the survey revealed that the average age when respondents have started smoking is 18 years. The trend is similar across all centers. In terms of the reasons for smoking, the data showed that friends / peers is the most important influencer to start smoking followed by work pressure (Bangalore, Delhi & Kolkata) and social gathering (Delhi & Kolkata). Smoking by parents/relatives/elders is an important influencer in Bangalore.

While male respondents were influenced by peers and work pressure, female respondents were also influenced by celebrities in films/ ads. It also said that smoking was most preferred in groups / with friends (94%) followed by cigarettes being shared with friends /peers (81%). Smoking with tea / coffee was observed among 80% Bangalore respondents.

However, the survey revealed that almost 3/4th of the smokers have not taken any steps to quit smoking in past 12 months. Mumbai & Kolkata respondents are better than other cities in intention to quit smoking.

Claims data from ICICI Lombard showed that 5% of all cancer claims for the company was related to tobacco. Of this, 75% claims from males and 25% came from females.

This survey was conducted across 914 respondents in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata. About 80% of the respondents were male and the rest were female. Respondents were classified on the basis of age, place of current stay and working status.