Top Dating Turn-offs Revealed: Smoking, Smelling & Swearing
Smoking cigarettes is rapidly becoming the least sexy addiction going. While once it was considered cool to be deemed a ‘smoker’, these days it’s more likely to earn you a swipe left or an early end to a first date. Since 2011, the number of smokers has fallen from 20% of the UK to just 14%.
A recent study from E-Liquids has revealed that our top relationship turn-offs are smelling bad, smoking, and swearing.
Top Turn-offs
When asked to rank their top relationship turn-offs, smoking came second with over a quarter (26%) saying it would be their biggest turn-off in a partner - beating jealousy (4%) and bad pick up lines (1%).
The number one turn-off was smelling bad, which also means that if you stink of stale smoke - you could be risking your love life! In addition to this, almost half (49%) of the UK said that they would not date someone who smokes.
Top turn-off % of respondents
- Smelling bad 40%
- Smoking 26%
- Swearing 11%
- Lack of sense of humour 6%
- Fashion sense 5%
- Jealousy 4%
- Tattoos 3%
- Lack of ambition 2%
- Piercings 2%
- Bad flirting/pick up lines 1%
Time to Start Stopping
Many people are moving away from smoking cigarettes and using quitting aids like nicotine patches, gum, and vape pens in order to reduce their nicotine intake and end their habit for good. Interestingly, 29% of respondents said that they would prefer to date someone who vapes than someone who smokes.
It’s not just first dates and Tinder swipes that are being affected - shockingly, more than 1 in 3 (36%) non-smokers said that they would consider breaking up with their partner, and even divorcing them, if they refused to quit smoking.
Interestingly, millennials were the age group most likely to consider not quitting a deal-breaker, with a huge 43% saying that they would end a relationship or marriage if their partner refused to quit smoking.
It seems that some smokers are aware that their habits are causing problems, as 17% of smokers said that someone has refused to date them because of the habit, and more than 1 in 5 (21%) smokers admitted to hiding their addiction from a partner.
Smoking Alternatives
Antony Bentinck, founder of E-Liquids, responded to the research to say “We’re definitely seeing a big trend in people choosing to quit smoking, and understanding not just the health risks - but also the societal impact.
“Smoking is no longer a social habit, and things like the smell it leaves on your clothes and breath can be really off-putting to non-smokers, or ex-smokers who are trying to stay away from the habit.
“If there is anyone out there who is addicted to cigarettes and looking to end the habit, this research should do the trick to make them realise it’s the right decision - as it may just save their love life!
“For anyone looking to quit who is scared of going cold-turkey, there are plenty of nicotine replacement options available, including nicotine patches, gum, and vape pens.”
