Smoking Turn is a Off in Dating by Men & Women

To me, kissing is one of life's greatest pleasures along with cookies and cream ice cream, designer handbags (which I can't afford but like to drool at anyway) and men who call back when they say they will (sigh).

So you can imagine my shock horror when a colleague I'd fancied for what seemed like forever, (albeit one who looked just like Jude Law circa the nanny-cheating debacle), leaned in to kiss me at a drunken office cocktail party.

Oh the joy! The elation! The weak-at-the-knees swoon-worthy moment! Or so I'd hoped.
While I'd expected pizzazz, fireworks and spine tingling sensations, I was utterly disappointed to emerge from the pash feeling like I'd just licked the inside of an ashtray. Argh. And to make matters worse, he was still holding his lit cigarette when I excused myself from his embrace, almost burning my new Witchery skirt in the process. (Suffice to say I was in no uncertain rush to kiss the lad again anytime soon.)

While many singletons wax lyrical over the myriad dating turn-offs, (which run the gamut of whacky eating habits to bad body odor, awkward dress sense and eerie bathroom habits), it seems there's one particular turn off that gets singletons all fired up: smoking. And it seems I'm not alone in my disdain.

A quick scroll through a bunch of RSVP member profiles (for journalism purposes of course), finds a number of folks actually stipulate a "non-smoker" as their partner of preference.
Smokers are feeling the burn too with a recent RSVP survey finding a whopping 73 per cent believe their habit made it tougher to meet a mate!

Adding fuel to the no-smoking fire is the fact that 90 per cent of respondents claimed smoking is the ultimate relationship turn-off.

So what's the solution? Douse yourself in a can of Lynx or bottle of Chanel No.5 before the big date? Lay your habit out on the table hoping they'll like you for you, not your breath?
By my reckoning, why not throw your packet in the bin, grab some Nicabate* (patches, lozenges or gum) and save your money for a new iPod or some swoon-worthy designer handbags? At least you'll be assured your kisses will taste sugary sweet ...

By Samantha Brett, Author and ASK SAM! dating columnist