Influence of Smoking on Well-being: A Quantitative Study among Students in the UK

This study analyzes the impact of smoking on the mental and physical health of students in the UK. The findings suggest that smoking negatively affects well-being and that steps need to be taken to reduce the number of smokers. The study uses a quantitative approach and symbolic interaction theory to shed light on smoking behavior among young adults.

Influence of smoking in well-being

Abstract
UK faces major issue with regard to the increasing trend of smoking and this is mainly
identified among young adults. Therefore, by using the quantitative study, it has been analyzed
that the number of students are actually affected the entire mental health and this shows that null
hypothesis has accepted over the other because chi-square value is greater than 0.05. Also, it can
be stated that by using symbolic interaction approach as a sociological theory, the ideas can be
exchanged that helps to make them realise that smoking is bad for their health.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................4
Research approach.......................................................................................................................4
Participants..................................................................................................................................5
Data collection methods..............................................................................................................5
Target participants.......................................................................................................................5
Ethical consideration...................................................................................................................5
Data analysis................................................................................................................................5
FINDINGS.......................................................................................................................................6
Descriptive statistics....................................................................................................................6
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................10
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
In 2019, there are around 14.1% of the total population who have smoked regularly and
among them all of them are teenagers. However, in Great Britain around more than half of the
people whose age 16 years are recently found smoked and they wanted to quit, but due to their
addiction it is not possible. Though the rate of smoking from last 1976 is decreases in UK but it
also need to be controlled especially in the case of young people so that it creates a better impact
over their mental health (Adult smoking habits in the UK, 2020). The rationale for took up a step
over other is such that it causes negative impact over the mental health of people and affect their
performance in negative manner as well. Such that this increases the rate of cancer, stroke, lung
disease and many other issues that affect the entire performance of human being. Prats-Uribe and
et.al., (2021) also supported that there are many negative impact identified over the mental health
of an individual and if the steps has not taken then it affect the entire life of an individual.
The research aim is to determine the impact of smoking upon student’s well-being and
health. With the help of chosen topic, the average number of students who smoke everyday will
be identified and this in turn shows how their mental health has affected negatively. Also, the
chosen topic is linked with the mental health of individual and the rate of smoking among young
adults is keep increases and through this study, the scholar will shed a light upon different
behavior of smoking among the chosen participants.
The research objectives are:
 To understand the statistics related to smoking within UK
 To determine the negative aspect related to excess smoking within individual.
 To ascertain the ways through which the increasing number smoking trend can be
reduced.
METHODOLOGY
Research approach
For the present study, only quantitative data has been used in order to make the research
more authentic and valid that helps to determine the influence of smoking among students. Also,

the numbers and facts has been used in order to evaluate the results that can be possible only by
using the quantitative data (Ullah and Rafiq, 2021).
Participants
For the present study, all the students of college has been used from the school who are
randomly selected for the study in order to evaluate their views pertaining to influence of
smoking in well-being.
Data collection methods
Both primary and secondary data collection methods has been adopted for the present
study that assist to determine the results in more appropriate manner. Under primary research,
survey under questionnaire (as attached in appendix) has been adopted that provide an
appropriate views pertaining to the research (Nayak and Singh, 2021). Whereas, under secondary
data collection method, scholar uses books, journals and newspaper article which in turn help to
develop a brief thesis pertaining to the chosen aim.
Target participants
The target participants for the present study is 20 from the college in order to determine
the actual influence of smoking towards a well-being.
Ethical consideration
To conduct the research in more appropriate manner, it is necessary to comply with the
ethical consideration. Researcher take consent from the selected participants prior to the study in
order to make research valid (Pandey and Pandey, 2021). Also, data protection act need to be
complied that help to prevent the error of communication.
Data analysis
SPSS as a data analysis tool has been adopted for the present research in order to meet
the defined aim. Under this, different themes has been used along with inferential statistics that
assist to create a better outcome and meet the defined aim.

FINDINGS
Descriptive statistics
In accordance with the table 2, it has been identified that from 20 respondents 10 are
male and 10 are females. Whereas, most of the selected participants are of 18 to 25 years old.
Average number of respondents stated that they get proper support from the families and 50% of
them are average in their academic performance. Almost each selected participate stated that
they smoke and majority of them stated that they feel pleasant. This in turn shows that most of
them are addicted towards smoking and also agreed that intake of smoking affect the mental and
physical health of an individual.
Gender
From the table 3, it has been identified that out of 20 respondents 10 are female and 10 are
males.
Age:
From the table 4, it has been interpreted that out of 20 respondents, 45% of them stated that they
are fall under the category of 18 to 25 years and 5 of them stated that they are 26 to 32 years and
only 4 of them stated that they are 33 to 39 and 2 of them stated that they are 40 above.
Smoking
Through the table 5, it has been identified that there are 60% of the selected participants smoke
in a day and only 40% of them stated no. This in turn shows that most of them are smoking.
Chi-square test
From the table 6, it has been identified that out of 20 respondents 4 female stated that they
receive support from family members. Whereas 6 of them stated no, but 7 males stated that they
receive support from family. However, there is no difference between the mean of gender and
the support from family members which reflected that there is null hypothesis is accepted.
From the table 7, it has been identified that the selected candidate whose age is 45 above
stated that they smoke and out of 20, there are 4 people stated yes whose age is in between 33-

38. Also, out of 5 students 2 of them stated yes and 3 of them stated no whose age is in between
25 to 33. Further, 5 students who are 18 to 25 stated yes and 4 of them stated no. This shows that
while recoding there are number of people who are young adult are smoke and this causes a
direct impact over the results. Further, table 8 entails that from the 10 females 6 of them smoked
and 4 do not and the same is in case of male. However, the value of chi-square is 0.675 which
indicated that alternative hypothesis is accepted. That is why, it can be stated that the small age
group actually affected the smoking level of individuals.
DISCUSSION
Through the above interpretation, it has been identified that there are number of
respondents who are highly smoked and this shows that the number of smoking is increases
among the adults and this causes negative impact over the health. This is turn also related to the
research objectives which determine that there are negative impact identified over the human
health when excess smoking is inhaled (Jackson and et.al., 2021). Further, through the primary
research, it has been identified that majority of the selected participants are agreed that there is
no relationship between age, gender and smoking because the value of p is greater than standard
criteria. This is also supported by the conflict theory under sociology which entails that society is
composed of unequal distribution of desired resources that might not help the people to improve
the views. That is why, it can be stated that the things that affect the entire health of the people
should be reduced as early as possible otherwise it affect the entire performance of the individual
into negative manner (Grogan and et.al., 2022).
The findings of primary research also indicated that the trend of smoking is keep
increases such that society need to provide better place where the things can be minimised and
that is why, it help to create a new ways to acquire resources in order to meet the defined aim. As
the number of individuals are agreed that they get proper support from the family members and
this help to improve their action i.e. smoking and as very young adults are considered one of the
highest smokers in UK (Bellou, Belbasis and Evangelou, 2021). That is why, overall discussion
entails that by using the symbolic interaction approach, society can exchange the ideas and make
people aware regarding the same so that effective outcome can be generated and improve the
performance.

CONCLUSION
By summing up above smoking is increases from the last many years especially to
students and young adults. The statistics also stated that the number of smoking is increases and
it is mainly found in young people that affect their mental and physical health. Further, it can be
stated that by recoding the variable will affect the results because the hypothesis has change
which in turn shows that there is a need to make steps that helps to reduce the number of
smokers. Further, it has been concluded that there is no association between the variables and
this shows that null hypothesis is accepted over other. Therefore, it can be reflected that majority
of the respondents agreed that they smoke and that is why, they are addicted towards the
smoking. That is why, in order to reduce the same, government need to make steps that helps to
improve the results and make UK free from smoking that assist to improve the health life of
people.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bellou, V., Belbasis, L. and Evangelou, E., 2021. Tobacco smoking and risk for pulmonary
fibrosis: a prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank. Chest. 160(3). pp.983-993.
Grogan, S. and et.al., 2022. How has COVID-19 lockdown impacted smoking? A thematic
analysis of written accounts from UK smokers. Psychology & Health. 37(1). pp.17-33.
Jackson, S.E. and et.al., 2021. Negative vaccine attitudes and intentions to vaccinate against
Covid-19 in relation to smoking status: A population survey of UK adults. Nicotine and
Tobacco Research. 23(9). pp.1623-1628.
Nayak, J.K. and Singh, P., 2021. Fundamentals of research methodology problems and
prospects. SSDN Publishers & Distributors.
Pandey, P. and Pandey, M.M., 2021. Research methodology tools and techniques. Bridge Center.
Prats-Uribe, A. and et.al., 2021. Smoking and COVID-19 infection and related mortality: A
prospective cohort analysis of UK Biobank data. Clinical Epidemiology. 13. p.357.
Ullah, A. and Rafiq, M., 2021. Education and learning about research methodology: Views of
LIS authors in Pakistan. Information Development, p.02666669211022022.
Online
Adult smoking habits in the UK. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/
healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2019>.

APPENDIX
Questionnaire
1. Gender
 Female
 Male
 Others
2. Age:
 18-25
 26-32
 33-39
 40 and above
3. Do you receive support from family members?
 Yes
 No
4. Are your family members supportive to your academic pursuit?
 Yes
 No
5. What category can you place your current academic achievement/success?
 Excellent
 Average
 Poor
6. Do you smoke?
 Yes

 No
7. How many cigarettes a day do you smoke?
 1 to 3
 3 to 5
 5 to 8
 More than 8
8. Did you feel pleasant while smoking?
 Yes
 No
9. Do you believe that you are addicted towards smoking?
 Yes
 No
10. Do you know that smoking influence your mental and physical health?
 Yes
 No
Table 2:
Statistics

Gen
der
Age Do
you
receive
suppor
t from
family
memb
ers?
Are
your
family
membe
rs
support
ive to
your
acade
mic
pursuit
?
What category
can you place
your current
academic
achievement/su
ccess?
Do
you
smo
ke?
How
many
cigaret
tes a
day do
you
smoke
?
Did
you
feel
pleasa
nt
while
smoki
ng?
Do
you
believ
e that
you
are
addict
ed
towar
ds
smoki
ng?
Do
you
know
that
smoki
ng
influe
nce
your
menta
l and
physic
al
health
?
N
Valid 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Missi
ng 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 1.50
00
1.950
0 1.4500 1.3000 2.0000 1.40
00
2.150
0 1.4000 1.3500 1.450
0
Median 1.50
00
2.000
0 1.0000 1.0000 2.0000 1.00
00
2.000
0 1.0000 1.0000 1.000
0
Mode 1.00a 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Std.
Deviati
on
.512
99
1.050
06 .51042 .47016 .64889 .502
62
.8750
9 .50262 .48936 .5104
2
Varianc
e .263 1.103 .261 .221 .421 .253 .766 .253 .239 .261
a. Multiple modes exist. The smallest value is shown
Table 3:
Gender
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Female 10 50.0 50.0 50.0
male 10 50.0 50.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0

Table 4:
Age
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
18-25 9 45.0 45.0 45.0
26-32 5 25.0 25.0 70.0
33-39 4 20.0 20.0 90.0
40 and above 2 10.0 10.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Bar Chart

Table 5:
Do you smoke?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
yes 12 60.0 60.0 60.0
no 8 40.0 40.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0

Chi-square
table 6:
Do you receive support from family members? * Gender
Crosstab
Count
Gender Total

Female male
Do you receive support
from family members?
yes 4 7 11
No 6 3 9
Total 10 10 20
Chi-Square Tests
Value df Asymp. Sig.
(2-sided)
Exact Sig. (2-
sided)
Exact Sig. (1-
sided)
Pearson Chi-Square 1.818a 1 .178
Continuity Correctionb .808 1 .369
Likelihood Ratio 1.848 1 .174
Fisher's Exact Test .370 .185
Linear-by-Linear
Association 1.727 1 .189
N of Valid Cases 20
a. 2 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 4.50.
b. Computed only for a 2x2 table
Chi-square
Table 7:
Do you smoke? * Age
Crosstab
Count
A Total
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00
Do you smoke? yes 1 4 2 5 12
no 1 0 3 4 8
Total 2 4 5 9 20

Chi-Square Tests
Value df Asymp. Sig.
(2-sided)
Pearson Chi-Square 3.657a 3 .301
Likelihood Ratio 5.052 3 .168
Linear-by-Linear
Association .484 1 .487
N of Valid Cases 20
a. 7 cells (87.5%) have expected count less than 5. The
minimum expected count is .80.
Do you smoke? * Gender
Crosstab
Count
Gender Total
Female male
Do you smoke? yes 6 6 12
no 4 4 8
Total 10 10 20
Chi-Square Tests
Value df Asymp. Sig.
(2-sided)
Exact Sig. (2-
sided)
Exact Sig. (1-
sided)
Pearson Chi-Square .000a 1 1.000
Continuity Correctionb .000 1 1.000
Likelihood Ratio .000 1 1.000
Fisher's Exact Test 1.000 .675
Linear-by-Linear
Association .000 1 1.000
N of Valid Cases 20
a. 2 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 4.00.

b. Computed only for a 2x2 table