SMOKING is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK every year.

The habit can lead to health complications but new research has suggested it might also have a negative impact on your relationships.

A study of over 2,000 smokers found that half of them would hide their habit from their loved ones.

The research, conducted by LloydsPharmacy, found that 43 per cent of those who keep it under wraps have used walking the dog as an excuse to have a cigarette, while 54 per cent would say they’re just nipping to the shops. 

Another 40 per cent offer to take the bins out for a secret ciggie, and two thirds have blamed a friend for smelling of smoke. 

This is while 91 per cent revealed they kept their habit concealed because they did not want to upset their other half – while 46 per cent felt guilty.

Experts at LloydsPharmacy said that the stigma around smoking means that many smokers conceal their habits from their loved ones.

They added: "Quitting smoking can be tough and many have tried but found themselves smoking again, soon after quitting."

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Shockingly, the study also revealed the top tactics that smokers used to conceal the smell of their habit.

The top ones includes changing into different clothes, having a shower, and keeping the windows open in the car or house – with others also buying deodorant to mask the scent.

Despite all their best efforts, around half of the smokers have been caught by those they had been trying to hide their habit from.

Around four in 10 said they hid their habit due to shame, with 51 per cent saying they felt they would be judged if people found out.

Over a quarter of all smokers would happily lie to someone they didn’t know very well about being a smokerand 36 per cent admitted to falsely filling out professional forms.

STUB IT OUT

Of those surveyed, more than seven in 10 said they had tried to quit the habit before, with 83 per cent saying they found it too difficult.

The experts said the average smoker lasted just under four months before picking up a cigarette again.

Half gave up simply because they said it helped them to relax, with 43 per cent saying they missed it too mich.

The OnePoll study found that 28 per cent of people felt that stop-smoking treatments didn't work for them.

The 5 tips to stop smoking that you need to know

Parvinder Sagoo, superintendent pharmacist and clinician at SimplyMedsOnline revealed their top tips to kick the habit.

1. Think about why you should or want to quit smoking: Rather than just quitting on a whim and not really having any particular reason, you should try to think about your exact reasons for quitting, whether it be health, family or work. Writing these down, as well as the benefits that will come out of quitting will allow you to understand the importance of quitting and should help you quit for good. 
2. Decide to quit smoking and keep to this decision: Telling friends, family and colleagues of your plan to quit should help the process, as they will know not to offer you any cigarettes or can offer support. Once you know you will quit it’s time to get the wheels in motion on dates and quitting strategies. 
3. Decide on a date and prepare yourself to stop: Give yourself a date that you will quit, ensure all cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other such items are removed from your home, car and office by this date so you are not tempted. 

1. Think about why you should or want to quit smoking: Rather than just quitting on a whim and not really having any particular reason, you should try to think about your exact reasons for quitting, whether it be health, family or work. Writing these down, as well as the benefits that will come out of quitting will allow you to understand the importance of quitting and should help you quit for good. 
2. Decide to quit smoking and keep to this decision: Telling friends, family and colleagues of your plan to quit should help the process, as they will know not to offer you any cigarettes or can offer support. Once you know you will quit it’s time to get the wheels in motion on dates and quitting strategies. 
3. Decide on a date and prepare yourself to stop: Give yourself a date that you will quit, ensure all cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other such items are removed from your home, car and office by this date so you are not tempted. 
4. Quit smoking: On the day of quitting, you should have prepared yourself and gotten rid of anything relating to smoking. You may want to have items with you that will help the process such as nicotine patches, gums or sprays. 
5. Stay away from cigarettes and smoking – never start again: This is the hard bit, sticking to it. However the longer you go without smoking the more likely you are to quit for good. The first two weeks is the hardest part, try to avoid things that may mean you are likely to pick it up again such as drinking, socialising in a pub, or joining the smokers outside at work.

The average smoker gets through a total of nine cigarettes per day with at least three of them smoked in secret.

But 59 per cent of smokers plan on giving it up in the near future – with saving money being the main motivator.

Thirty-seven per cent of those will do it to improve and protect the health and family members while 70 per cent want to do it to for their own health and wellbeing.

The spokesperson added: "The good news is there are lots of things you can do to really help kick the habit and encourage a new and healthy lifestyle.

"At LloydsPharmacy, we have a whole host of ‘Stop Smoking’ aids and services available online and instore, for anyone who is looking to start that journey.

"Whether that’s advice from one of our pharmacists, motivation from our blog posts or help from hundreds of products available online and instore, we are here to support.”

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