With Valentine's Day just around the corner, let's talk love, first impressions, and how certain habits can make—or break—your chances in the dating game. Ever wondered if smoking plays a role in romance? According to insights from Match.com, Pfizer, dua.com, and the National Library of Medicine, it absolutely does. So, let’s dive into the facts and see how lighting up might be putting out your chances of finding love.
Smoking and First Date Deal-Breakers
It turns out that smoking is a major turnoff. A study by Match.com and Pfizer found that 89% of people would rather not date a smoker. In fact, stepping out for a smoke break (51%) is considered a bigger dating faux pas than being glued to your phone or even turning up late. And if that’s not telling enough, 57% of people say they’d flat-out refuse to date a smoker—citing health concerns, the lingering smell of cigarettes, and personal well-being as the biggest reasons.
The Online Dating Struggle for Smokers
If you're on the dating apps, the numbers aren’t exactly in favour of smokers. A study by dua.com found that smokers receive 52.7% fewer matches compared to non-smokers. And here’s where it gets even more interesting—non-smoking women attract 63.6% more matches than their smoking counterparts. In the digital world of swipes and instant first impressions, healthy habits are clearly high on the list of desirable traits.
How Non-Smokers View Smokers
The National Library of Medicine took a closer look at how non-smokers perceive smokers, and the results might surprise you. Non-smokers tend to rate "low-identity" smokers more favourably—meaning those who smoke occasionally or don’t strongly associate with the habit. This suggests that non-smokers may be more accepting of people who don’t fully identify as smokers, likely because they see them as less likely to continue the habit long-term.
Men vs Women: Who’s More Tolerant?
When it comes to smoking and relationships, gender plays a role in how tolerant people are. Research shows that men are generally more accepting of smoking—particularly if the person has a more casual or occasional smoking habit. Women, on the other hand, are far more cautious. They tend to steer clear of both heavy and occasional smokers, making smoking an even bigger deal-breaker for them in the dating scene.
The Bottom Line
If you're navigating the dating world, your smoking habits could be affecting more than just your health—they might also be limiting your chances at love. Whether you’re thinking about quitting for yourself or to make a better first impression, these insights show just how much smoking can impact modern relationships. So, if you’re looking for someone to swipe right on you for all the right reasons, it might be time to ditch the smokes for good.
References:
https://www.dua.com/is-smoking-unsexy/
https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/
