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Public Health England hosted a webinar for mental health and learning disability service providers, where it revealed that about 25% of adults have not received the mental healthcare they need during the pandemic, while those with serious illness are reporting “much lower” well-being levels compared to others.
Gregor Henderson, PHE national lead for mental health and well-being, said: “Across a range of data and surveys we have collated, the picture shows that mental well-being fell sharply at the beginning of lockdown. On all measures of well-being that we have been able to collate for people living with serious mental illness, all indicators of well-being are much lower than the rest of the population. This underlines the need to prioritise the health and well-being of those living with serious mental illness.”
Furthermore, young people, black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME), those living alone, people with lower household income and people with existing mental and physical health conditions were among those who have reported worsening mental health according to PHE.
A spokesman for NHS England and Improvement said: “It is too early to tell what the medium or long term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health will be, but frontline mental health services have continued to offer flexible options for care, and we have seen a significant increase in phone and video consultations and online support, while the dedicated helpline for NHS staff has supported front-line workers. This will continue to be the right choice for many in the coming months and years, but face-to-face appointments have been and will continue to be available for anyone who needs them and our message to anyone experiencing poor mental health is: the NHS is here for you, please help us help you, and come forward for the care you need.”
Source: HSJ, 23 May 2020
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Cheshire West and Chester Council and its commissioned stop smoking service provider, Brio Leisure are working with local partners to support the message to encourage people to quit.
The council is now backing the #QuitforCOVID campaign which was developed by a Bristol-based GP Dr Charlie Kenward and is being led by members of the Smokefree Action Coalition (SFAC) including Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
Cllr Val Armstrong, Cheshire West and Cheshire cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: “This is a worrying time for all of us and we are all conscious of the need to protect ourselves, to protect others. Quitting smoking is a very good way to help reduce your chances of hospital admission if you contract coronavirus. We are supporting the #QuitforCOVID campaign as there has never been a more important time to quit smoking than right now. It is never too late to see the health benefits of quitting smoking and you're never too old to quit."
Elly McFahn from Brio Leisure said: “We are still operating a local stop smoking service for our eligible population groups, offering telephone support, and posting out Nicotine Replacement Therapy to our clients. The service is working well and lots of residents are keen to quit now more than ever. Even if you have tried to give up smoking in the past and did not manage it, do not give up on quitting because you can do it. Many smokers try several times before they succeed.”
Source: Winsford and Middlewich Guardian, 26 May 2020
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Smokers in Yorkshire are being urged to quit by signing up to a new virtual support programme. The service is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and delivered by NHS specialists, provides 12 weeks of support, including video or telephone calls and free nicotine replacement therapies or e-cigarettes delivered directly to those who take part.
Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Lots of people want to stop smoking, but they are not sure where to start. We want people to know they do not have to do it alone. Evidence shows people are much more likely to quit for good with professional support. Our unique service is here to provide an extra helping hand and give people the best possible chance of success."
Yorkshire has the highest smoking rate in England, with more than 16% of the general adult population smoking. Each year, about 4,500 new cases of cancer in Yorkshire are linked to smoking, representing 15% of all cancers diagnosed. New evidence shows smokers are also more at risk of developing life-threatening complications from COVID-19.
A recent joint study by YouGov and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggests up to 300,000 people in the UK may have quit smoking during the coronavirus crisis due to the risk of severe illness from the virus.
Source: Stray FM News, 26 May 2020
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Powys County councillors have warned that vouchers given to parents in place of free schools’ meals during the coronavirus pandemic should not be used to buy cigarettes or alcohol. Concerns were raised as some parents felt that the voucher scheme was open to abuse.
Councillor Dorrance, Labour group leader, asked a question to Councillor Phyl Davies, the county’s portfolio holder for education and said: “Will the cabinet member explain why the scheme allows this and furthermore commit to take action that stops the vouchers being used for these purchases?”
Councillor Davies replied: “The voucher email that is sent to parents does advise that the vouchers are to be used to purchase food only. Some of the supermarkets have restricted items lists that prohibit purchases of tobacco and alcohol, however not all. We will advise the voucher provider to request all supermarkets have these restrictions in place when using these vouchers.”
After receiving the answer, Councillor Dorrance said: “I know that the overwhelming majority of parents will do the right thing, but it is worrying that there are loopholes. I welcome the commitment to put in place actions which will lead to restrictions on the purchase of cigarettes and alcohol when using these vouchers.”
Source: Shropshire Star, 26 May 2020
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EU member states will ask the European Commission this week to place novel tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products under the EU Tobacco Excise Directive, meaning they would be taxed just like traditional tobacco products, according to draft council conclusions.
The draft conclusion reads: “The current provisions of Directive 2011/64/EU have become less effective, as they are either no longer sufficient or too narrow to address current and future challenges, concerning some products, such as liquids for e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and other types of next-generation products, which are entering the market,”
“It is therefore urgent and necessary to upgrade the EU regulatory framework, to tackle current and future challenges in respect of the functioning of the internal market by harmonising definitions and tax treatment of novel products (such as liquids for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products), including products, whether or not containing nicotine, that substitute tobacco, to avoid legal uncertainty and regulatory disparities in the EU.”
The Council Conclusions are expected to be endorsed today (27 May) at a COREPER II meeting. EU member states also ask the EU executive to present a legislative proposal to the Council, with the objective of “resolving, as appropriate, the concerns set out in these conclusions.”
The tobacco industry says novel tobacco products and electronic cigarettes have significantly reduced health risks compared to traditional smoking and should, therefore, be treated accordingly. However, EU policymakers insist that a cautious approach is still needed.
Source: Euractiv, 26 May 2020
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The Minnesota Department of Health has recently launched a free cessation programme called Quit Partner, aimed at helping people who are interested in quitting smoking, vaping, and/or chewing tobacco.
The programme offers free personal counselling over the phone and online and sends free NRTs such as nicotine lozenges, gum, and patches to people who take part and want to quit.
Laura Oliven, Tobacco Control Manager with the Minnesota Department of Health, said: “It’s never been more important to improve your lung health and boost your immunity. You can increase the likelihood of a successful quit dramatically. You are probably two times more likely to achieve the success if you get this help.”
Source: Vaping Post, 26 May 2020.
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
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