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Power puff girls?

Are more and more women getting hooked to cigarettes?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that seven per cent of women in developing countries smoke (compared with 48 per cent of men). And Asia seems to be the virgin market for tobacco manufacturers, who are pushing in `low tar' and milder though equally harmful cigarettes and the familiar independence, weight control and managing stress themes.

But why do women smoke really? Stress reliever, craving, the `breakfast, coffee and smoke' dependency, weight control and social acceptance are common reasons cited by women in town. "Smoking is more of a done thing and has nothing to do with stress in women. Started for a lark, the women then use it to handle stress. There are more productive ways to deal with stress such as arriving at a better work-home balance or dealing with a relationship issue," says Parveez Chinoy, consulting psychologist.

While the `Milds' or `Navy cuts' might send the `with it' signals, nicotine impacts women more drastically. Interestingly, women are capable of quitting with as much ease as they get hooked on to it. "I have seen a lot of friends who quit the day they get pregnant so that they do not harm the foetus. Also they tend not to smoke if there is a child in the group," says Usha, a marketing manager with the hospitality industry.

As for snubbing that butt, there is hope, with the professional lot taking the lead. "I have quit smoking. I listen to music to de-stress and I chew gum when I feel the urge to smoke. I don't want to reek of cigarettes when I make my sales call," says Madhavi. Some attitude that!

SYEDA FARIDA

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