Survey finds “smokers breath” a real turn off

All smokers have a bad breath, maybe not chronic but a breath that can be a real turn off.

Cigarette breath is a choice, but those on the other end of tobacco breath also have a choice and theirs is often very offensive.

An interesting new survey revealed that cigarettes have topped the list of items that make your breath smell the worst.

In a spot poll of 3,000 adults conducted by Superdrug, a health and beauty retail chain in the United Kingdom, researchers picked the 20 worst oral aromas and found that fags left garlic, un-brushed teeth and Marmite behind to claim the top spot.

Findings of the poll
The survey found that 70 per cent of people abhor interacting with someone who has just finished smoking.

Bad breath due to smoking may also be the reason for breakups in love relationships as women are put off by foul breath especially that caused by smoking.

Additionally, smoking before an important business meeting is not a very good idea and can sometimes result in broken business deals.

Hence, on a deeper level, smoking may not only cause bad breath, but may even ruin your health and your future.

Simon Comins, from Superdrug which carried out the research, said, "When you're getting up close and personal, there's nothing so off putting as having to deal with something like bad breath.

"Today everyone needs to perform to their best ability in a work setting so we'd advise to look after their dental hygiene - garlic breath at a job interview may make the difference between getting the job or not."

The other unpleasant smells in the top list 20 included onions, beer, pickled onions, fish, curry and coffee.

However, despite the strong outcry against “smokers breath,” only four in ten people had the guts to tell another that they needed to tackle the problem.

Reasons behind “smokers breath”
The reason behind the foul stench from smoking is that cigarettes contain around 400 harmful chemicals most of them being extremely harmful.

The tar and nicotine in cigarette smoke build up on mouth surfaces such as teeth, tongue, gums, and sides of cheeks.

Smoking dries the mouth by inhibiting saliva flow. Decreased moisture in the mouth in turn leads to the growth of bacteria, causing bad breath.

Smoking can aggravate gum diseases and sinus conditions, such as post-nasal drip, two important bad breath risks.