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Living near green space ‘associated with higher chances of quitting smoking’
People who smoke are more likely to successfully quit if they live near green spaces, research suggests. Scientists have also found that those residing in leafy neighbourhoods are less likely to smoke. Previous studies by the same team have shown that access to green space is associated with reduced cravings for alcohol and unhealthy foods as well as better physical and mental wellbeing.
The research, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, is based on Health Survey for England (HSE) data from more than 8,000 adults. Among those taking part in the survey, under one fifth (19%) described themselves as current smokers while almost half (45%) said they had regularly smoked at some point during their lives.
Analysis showed people living in areas with a high proportion of green spaces were 20% less likely to be current smokers than those in less green areas. And among those who had smoked at some point during their lives, people living in greener neighbourhoods were up to 12% more likely to have successfully quit smoking.
Study co-author Mathew White, senior scientist at the University of Vienna and honorary associate professor at the University of Exeter, said: “Despite a decline in prevalence within the general population over the last decade, smoking remains a devastating and global public health issue. Governments across the world spend billions each year trying to tackle it, both in an attempt to improve public health and reduce the strain on health services. This study emphasises the need to preserve existing green spaces and expand the development of new ones.”
Source: Evening Express, 31 October 2020
See also: Martin L, White MP, Pahl S, May J, Wheeler BW. Neighbourhood greenspace and smoking prevalence: Results from a nationally representative survey in England. Social Science & Medicine. 2020 Oct 21:113448.
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Smoking causes 25% of Northern Ireland cancer deaths
A woman who has smoked since she was a teenager has told how changing her routine during lockdown has helped her on her mission to quit. It comes as Cancer Focus Northern Ireland launches a campaign to raise awareness around the harms of smoking as part of lung cancer awareness month this November.
Part of the campaign is the shocking statistic that 25% of all cancer deaths in Northern Ireland are caused by smoking. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in Northern Ireland and between 2014 and 2018 an average of 1,313 people in Northern Ireland were diagnosed with lung cancer, with 1,023 dying from the disease every year. Smoker Nuala Ward (42), who is from Belfast, has smoked since she was 15 years old.
She spoke about her efforts to quit through fitness after realising how badly smoking was affecting her health. Nuala had tried to stop smoking before - but slipped back into smoking when she was stressed.
"I don't even remember lighting my first cigarette, I must have been 14 or 15. Everybody else was smoking. Until I stopped I was smoking slightly over 20 a day."
Cancer Focus NI stop smoking specialist Doreen Regan said that while face-to-face clinics were suspended due to coronavirus, services were continuing remotely, stressing that those with support are four times more likely to quit.
Source: Belfast Telegraph, 31 October 2020
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JTI launches Ploom S heated tobacco system
Japan Tobacco International has launched its Ploom S heated tobacco device in the UK.
The UK is the fourth market in which Ploom will be available after Japan, Russia, and Italy. The device is used with tobacco sticks ‘Evo sticks’ which are sold separately.
JTI has so far agreed listings for the Evo sticks with Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose as well as cash and carries. The Ploom S device will have a recommended retail price of £89, while JTI is offering a launch deal comprising the device and five packs of Evo sticks for £39.
Source: The Grocer, 2 November 2020
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