She's eight-and-a-half months pregnant and blooming but while GMTV's Kate Garraway looks the picture of health she's still reportedly puffing on cigarettes.

Females who smoke in the UK ranks among the highest in the EU.

Kate joins the 23% of UK women who can't, or won't, quit smoking. And though slightly more men (26%) are addicted to the habit, the proportion of females who smoke in the UK ranks among the highest in the EU, according to new research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

No Smoking Day on Wednesday March 8 marks the time to try and lose the habit of lighting up. But there's good and bad news for the fairer sex when it comes to smoking.

"Overall the number of women that smoke is in decline, however, more young girls currently smoke than they did 20 years ago," says Ben Youdan, chief executive of the No Smoking Day charity.

At the impressionable age of 15, 26% of girls light up regularly compared to 16% of boys, according to ONS.

While heading behind the bike sheds for a sneaky cigarette may be the start of a smoking addiction, it can end in tragedy. In the UK it is estimated that around 41,000 women die prematurely each year as a result of smoking.

LIGHTING UP

Ben Youdan, chief executive of the No Smoking Day charity.

When it comes to lighting up, it seems men and women open up their cigarette packets for very different reasons. Nicotine highs aside, men are more likely to use smoking as a social habit, while women seek solace in cigarettes.

Youdan explains "Nearly half of women say smoking helps to manage stress, compared to only a third of men. Smoking is a much more personal thing for women, used to boost confidence, manage emotions and control their weight.

"Men are far more likely to smoke as a social activity, associating it with going for a drink."

Leaning on cigarettes for emotional support is an addictive issue for some women - 48% of female smokers confessed that they would not be able to cope without cigarettes, compared to 35% of men, a No Smoking Day survey reveals.

Clinical psychologist Dr Allan Norris agrees that the differences are marked. "In my experience of running an NHS smoking withdrawal clinic, women were more likely to relapse when they felt under pressure, or in response to a crisis.

"Once addicted to smoking, it is likely that women may feel more helpless, trapped or dependent than men. They may also become more concerned than men if they gain weight during withdrawal."

FEMALE DOWNFALLS

Stub out those cigarettes for good.

Stub out those cigarettes for good and not only will they save hundreds of pounds a year, but women will also cash in on the health benefits of quitting. No Smoking Day lists the potential side-effects of smoking for women

Studies on cancer rates show that women are twice as likely as men to develop lung cancer as a consequence of smoking.

On average, women who smoke reach menopause two years earlier than non-smoking women.

Women who smoke are twice as likely to be infertile as non-smokers.

Smoking can create hormonal imbalances which decrease libido.

Smoking cuts the air flow to your skin leaving it grey and dull.

Smokers are more likely to store weight around their waist rather than the hips, giving an unhealthy higher waist to hip ratio.

It's estimated that 32% of deaths from cervical cancer are caused by smoking.

Smoking and taking the pill in combination can increase the risk of heart disease by up to 10 times.

THE FEMALE FAG CLUB

Ruth Bosworth, director of services for QUIT.

Fashion, television and film - these glamorous industries are all guilty of using fags as a fashion accessory. Cigarettes have become an important prop in producing a powerful image of the fearless, strong female - think Sharon Stone in 'Basic Instinct' or Tanya Turner in Footballers' Wives.

"Females are targeted throughout the media and even cigarette packets are slimline shaped to appeal to women," says Ruth Bosworth, director of services for QUIT.

"In films, female actors are twice as likely to be portrayed as smokers as men. But it's not only celebrities that women are influenced by, they also admire or aspire to be like successful colleagues and friends that smoke."

Whether it's a drunken whim or a bid to impress, the harsh reality is that three out of five experimental smokers will become addicted after a few cigarettes, QUIT research shows.

Bosworth adds "Young females taking up smoking see it as similar to forming lasting friendships. They tend to start smoking occasionally in a group setting, which leads to regular weekend smoking and then onto a daily habit."

TIME TO QUIT...

The healthy effects of stubbing out cigarettes start almost immediately.

If you're keen to quit smoking, you can reap the feelgood factor after just 20 minutes. The healthy effects of stubbing out cigarettes start almost immediately, according to the No Smoking Day charity.

AFTER 20 MINUTES Blood pressure and pulse return to normal.

AFTER 8 HOURS Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are halved. Oxygen levels in the blood return to normal.

AFTER 24 HOURS Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body and lungs start to clear out the build up of tar.

AFTER 48 HOURS There is no nicotine left in the body. Taste and smell are greatly improved.

AFTER 72 HOURS Breathing becomes easier, bronchial tubes begin to relax, energy levels increase.

AFTER 2-12 WEEKS Circulation improves, making walking and running a lot easier.

AFTER 3-9 MONTHS Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as the lungs have room for up to 10% more oxygen.

AFTER 5 YEARS Risk of heart attack is halved.

AFTER 10 YEARS Risk of lung cancer is halved and risk of heart attack is at the same level as non-smokers.

For more information on No Smoking Day on Wednesday 8 March visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk

For more information on QUIT, visit www.quit.org.uk or ring Quitline on 0800 002 200