According to the WHO's latest research, the rising economic and political status of women has led them to smoke more. In fact, the result partially reflects the situation in Taiwan, where the majority of female smokers are found in well-educated and economically independent women aged between 36 to 40 and those of lower education backgrounds.

Since her senior year in high school, 36-year-old Ms. Chen has been smoking for more than 10 years.

According to the Bureau of Health Promotion's latest research, economically independent women with social status like Ms.

Chen are likely to smoke comparing with other women, with around 7.6% of women aged between 36-40 and 6.8% of women aged between 31-35 are smokers.

The number of female smokers above the age of 40 declines over the age.

It is found that people with higher social and economic status are likely to smoke, which coincides with WHO's latest finding.

However, local research also suggests higher percentage of female smokers in women with low education background.

8.2% of women with junior high school diploma are regular smokers.

The John Tung Foundation suggests the government to curb the smoking problem by raising the price of cigarettes.

According to the foundation, 5.2% of smokers are female twelve years ago, and the percentage has dropped to 4.1 last year, as well as the smoking percentage of both men and women.

However, the tobacco sales have increased over the years, which suggests that the Bureau of Health Promotion's survey fails to truly reflect the reality.

The foundation says that in order to persuade women to stay away from cigarettes, it is crucial to show them that smoking increases the chances of getting breast cancer and cervical cancer.