As millions get ready to try to kick the habit again this year, the poll revealed millions of adults still don't smoke in front of their parents – despite being in their 20s and 30s.

The survey was carried out on 1,000 people who had
bought the NJOY "electronic" cigarette, an aid to kicking the habit.

Of those buying the device, 77 per cent admitted they still hid the fact from their parents despite, on average, being over 27.

And 13 per cent who described themselves as "occasional smokers" said they still tried to keep it a secret from their partners.

Men said they would make up excuses to visit their garage or shed, while most women said they would find spurious reasons to leave the house altogether.

Nearly all use mints, mouthwash and other mouth fresheners in attempt to mask odours on the breath and vigorous hand washing to remove tobacco stains and smells on fingers.

Miguel Corral of NJOY said: "It's amazing the amount of grown ups who still fear their parents finding out that they smoke.

"For many of the people we spoke to it's embarrassing to think that their parents are aware of so many other aspects of their life but they still try to hide the fact that they enjoy a sneaky fag."

NJOY is a £60 replica cigarette, a battery powered, tobacco-free device which mimics the process and sensation of smoking. A chemical reaction between the ingredients in the device produces an odourless and harmless vapour that looks like cigarette smoke.