Smokers 'to put on weight after ban'

Social smokers could put on more than a stone in weight over the next year by swapping their habit for snacking under the new smoking ban.

Once the ban comes into force on Sunday, 74 per cent of smokers admit they will snack on pub food to try and curb their craving for a cigarette.

This means the average smoker will put on almost 1.5lb each month, adding up to 1.2 stones in the first year of the ban, according to a survey by www.weightlossresources.co.uk

It found 84 per cent of smokers are worried about putting on weight once smoking is banned.

It's not just the calories that are going to add up, as the average smoker is also going to spend an extra £10.45 a week on food to satisfy their craving or £543.40 over the next year.

The biggest fear smokers reported was trying to get used to not having a cigarette in their hand as 88 per cent of the 1,500 who took part in the poll say they will miss the feeling.

More than three quarters of those will look for something else to hold instead.

Over 92 per cent of smokers also admit they will find it difficult to get out of their cigarette break routine and 93 per cent will miss lighting up when they are in a pub or club.

Almost 73 per cent are also going to long for the feeling of unwrapping a new packet or rolling a cigarette.

A spokesman for www.weightlossresources.co.uk said: "Many smokers will be thinking of cutting down or even giving up altogether when the ban comes in to force.

"But for some, this is going to lead them into the trap of using snacks as a replacement for a cigarette, especially social smokers who may only have a cigarette when they are sat in a pub.

"It's really important that smokers trying to cut down or give up keep a close eye on the amount of fat, sugar and salt they are eating to make sure their weight doesn't balloon in the aftermath of the ban."

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