ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., the country’s largest private sector general insurance company, has unveiled ‘ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits 2013’. The comprehensive survey delves into various social and psychological factors that influence smoking. The national survey conducted for ICICI Lombard by GfK Mode, a leading research agency, interviewed 900 plus smokers across four metros- Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
“ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits 2013” survey, takes cognizance of the urgent need to spread awareness about lifestyle habits of smokers and the ill effects of smoking. Commenting on the survey findings, Mr. Sanjay Datta, Chief – Underwriting and Claims, ICICI Lombard GIC Ltd. said, “At ICICI Lombard, we continuously strive towards promoting wellness and preventive healthcare. Smoking is extremely detrimental to health and it is unfortunate that the youth today is so susceptible to this habit. ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits survey attempts to understand the underlying factors as to why people start smoking and how can it be prevented. We hope that these insights would help all curb this habit.”
‘ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits 2013’ survey also reveals data about the average age at which respondents start smoking, factors prompting the respondents to take up smoking, frequency of smoking etc. The average smoker smokes 5 cigarettes a day, and half of the smokers continue smoking as they feel that within limits, it does not lead to health issues. When asked about quitting, 1 in every 2 smoker admitted that they are contemplating to quit smoking. They are of the opinion that their own will power and an alternative e.g. chewing gum / cigarette without tobacco will help them to quit smoking.
Key findings of the survey:
· Sample included 914 habitual smokers between 18-35 years, who smoke atleast once a day, across Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
· 226 respondents were from Bengaluru out of which 86% smoke more than once a day and 14% smoke once a day
· 43% smokers in Bengaluru consume more than 2- 3 cigarettes per day
· In Bengaluru majority of smokers (60%) started smoking between 16-20 years. Friends / peers is the most important influencer to start smoking (77%). 42% of people in Bengaluru smoke due to pressure at work. 48% of people in Bengaluru smoke in the company of relatives and parents
· Smoking daily at home or at someone’s residence is common practice in Bengaluru. 82% of people smoke daily in Bengaluru.
· 97% respondents in Bengaluru prefer smoking in the company of friends.
· 71% Bengaluru respondents were highly aware that smoking causes lung cancer. 50% of smokers in Bengaluru are convinced that smoking will not affect their health.
· 57% respondents from Bengaluru said that their own will power was a big factor to quit smoking.
· 30% of women are also influenced by celebrities in films/ ads. 52% of the female smokers, as compared to 35% of male smokers, didn’t show any inclination to quit smoking.
· Shockingly, a large portion of smokers (77%) feel that smoking or limited smoking will not have any adverse affects on their health.
· 52% of the female smokers, as compared to 35% of male smokers, didn’t show any inclination to quit smoking.
· Chewing gum and reducing the number of cigarettes were seen as the steps toward quitting smoking.
· 65% were not aware of the advantages in terms of premiums on health insurance, if they are non smokers.
· Out of the claim analysis done by ICICI Lombard for last two years, 5% of the total cancer claims were tobacco consumption related. Out of these 75% were claims made by male customers and 25% were made by female customers
· 46-55 years was the most affected age group for tobacco related claims with 31% male and 41% female customers contributing to the age bracket.
“ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits 2013” survey, takes cognizance of the urgent need to spread awareness about lifestyle habits of smokers and the ill effects of smoking. Commenting on the survey findings, Mr. Sanjay Datta, Chief – Underwriting and Claims, ICICI Lombard GIC Ltd. said, “At ICICI Lombard, we continuously strive towards promoting wellness and preventive healthcare. Smoking is extremely detrimental to health and it is unfortunate that the youth today is so susceptible to this habit. ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits survey attempts to understand the underlying factors as to why people start smoking and how can it be prevented. We hope that these insights would help all curb this habit.”
‘ICICI Lombard Smoking Habits 2013’ survey also reveals data about the average age at which respondents start smoking, factors prompting the respondents to take up smoking, frequency of smoking etc. The average smoker smokes 5 cigarettes a day, and half of the smokers continue smoking as they feel that within limits, it does not lead to health issues. When asked about quitting, 1 in every 2 smoker admitted that they are contemplating to quit smoking. They are of the opinion that their own will power and an alternative e.g. chewing gum / cigarette without tobacco will help them to quit smoking.
Key findings of the survey:
· Sample included 914 habitual smokers between 18-35 years, who smoke atleast once a day, across Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
· 226 respondents were from Bengaluru out of which 86% smoke more than once a day and 14% smoke once a day
· 43% smokers in Bengaluru consume more than 2- 3 cigarettes per day
· In Bengaluru majority of smokers (60%) started smoking between 16-20 years. Friends / peers is the most important influencer to start smoking (77%). 42% of people in Bengaluru smoke due to pressure at work. 48% of people in Bengaluru smoke in the company of relatives and parents
· Smoking daily at home or at someone’s residence is common practice in Bengaluru. 82% of people smoke daily in Bengaluru.
· 97% respondents in Bengaluru prefer smoking in the company of friends.
· 71% Bengaluru respondents were highly aware that smoking causes lung cancer. 50% of smokers in Bengaluru are convinced that smoking will not affect their health.
· 57% respondents from Bengaluru said that their own will power was a big factor to quit smoking.
· 30% of women are also influenced by celebrities in films/ ads. 52% of the female smokers, as compared to 35% of male smokers, didn’t show any inclination to quit smoking.
· Shockingly, a large portion of smokers (77%) feel that smoking or limited smoking will not have any adverse affects on their health.
· 52% of the female smokers, as compared to 35% of male smokers, didn’t show any inclination to quit smoking.
· Chewing gum and reducing the number of cigarettes were seen as the steps toward quitting smoking.
· 65% were not aware of the advantages in terms of premiums on health insurance, if they are non smokers.
· Out of the claim analysis done by ICICI Lombard for last two years, 5% of the total cancer claims were tobacco consumption related. Out of these 75% were claims made by male customers and 25% were made by female customers
· 46-55 years was the most affected age group for tobacco related claims with 31% male and 41% female customers contributing to the age bracket.