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** 18 October 2021
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** UK
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** Research finds quitting smoking can slow progress of Multiple Sclerosis (#1)
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** Liverpool named fourth best environment in country for quitting smoking by new study (#2)
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** Leaders appointed in four more ICSs (#3)
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** International
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** US: Navajo Nation Council to consider bill banning tobacco use in public spaces (#4)
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** UK
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** New research into the impact of smoking on multiple sclerosis (MS) has found that quitting smoking may cause a slowing of mobility deterioration that matches the rate of progression in people who have never smoked. The study, published in Brain and presented at this year’s European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, is the largest ever investigation into the effects of stopping smoking on MS and shows that it is never too late for those with MS to quit smoking.
The study involved 7983 people with MS who were part of the UK MS Register, around 4000 of whom had never smoked, 1315 who were current smokers, and 2815 former smokers. Participants filled in regular questionnaires about how their MS impacted their walking abilities including balance, gripping, and carrying things, and how they were feeling emotionally. Researchers compared how these scores changed over time with people’s current or previous smoking status.
As well as the findings regarding mobility deterioration, the study confirmed that the rate of smoking amongst people with MS is on par with national rates despite longstanding evidence that smoking can make MS worse, suggesting that people with MS may not be receiving sufficient encouragement or support to stop. This may be because healthcare professionals are unaware of the smoking status of patients with MS, as the data showed a higher rate of smoking amongst those who filled in the questionnaire than data from doctors’ records.
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Source: Charity Today, 15 October 2021
See also:
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** Brain - The impact of smoking cessation on multiple sclerosis disease progression ([link removed])
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** ASH Factsheet - Smoking and Multiple Sclerosis ([link removed])
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** Liverpool has taken fourth spot in a new study by The Independent Pharmacy analysing which UK cities are the most motivated to quit smoking and which provide the best environment for people looking to quit smoking. The study worked by reviewing each city’s online search volume for quitting phrases, the year that each city council pledged to become a smokefree city, the percentage of the population who have never smoked and the percentage difference between current smokers and ex-smokers.
Liverpool finished behind York, London, and Newcastle, who took top spot, in the rankings. The results come during the month-long Stoptober campaign, in which many smokers in Liverpool and beyond are aiming to go the whole month of October without smoking. Evidence shows that those who complete the 28-day pledge are estimated to be 5 times more likely to quit smoking for good.
Source: Liverpool Echo, 17 October 2021
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** Four more chairs have been announced for the new ‘integrated care boards’ (ICBs) which are set to take on commissioning budgets for each health system from April 2022 when they are to be placed on a statutory footing by the Government’s new Health and Social Care Bill. ICBs will sit on ICSs, with one ICB per ICS, and the four new chairs have been announced as “chair designates” to be confirmed by the bill.
Cathy Elliot has been appointed to one of the largest systems, West Yorkshire, having been chair of Bradford District Care FT and co-chair of the ICS’s reference group for council leaders and NHS chairs. In another large system, Greater Manchester, Sir Richard Leese has been confirmed as ICB chair designate, having already chaired the existing ICS structures for the last 18 months and having led Manchester Council for 25 years. Former health secretary Patricia Hewitt will be chair designate of Norfolk and Waveney, having chaired the existing ICS structures for the last four years. Sue Symington, chair of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals FT, is set to chair the Humber Coast and Vale ICB.
Most chair designates were appointed in the summer, so a total of 29 out of 42 have now been confirmed. Another large ICS, Cheshire and Merseyside, has failed to appoint a chair for a second time, with interim chair David Flory continuing until a further recruitment drive next year. The remaining 12 ICSs either said they were not ready to announce their ICB chairs or did not respond to HSJ enquiries. ICBs will work with councils to implement integrated care partnership (ICP) boards for each system, tasked with developing the area’s health and care strategy. ICB chairs are also allowed to chair the ICP board providing they are not councillors or MPs or work for any of their constituent organisations.
Source: HSJ, 14 October 2021
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** International
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** The Navajo Nation Council will consider legislation during the fall session, starting on Monday October 18, to ban use of commercial tobacco products in public and in workplaces. The "Nilch' éí Bee Ííná – Air is Life Act 2021" will ban the use of commercial tobacco products in settings like the tribe’s casinos but will not restrict using tobacco products inside homes or the use of ceremonial tobacco.
Similar proposals calling for smoke-free policies, some as early as 2008, have previously gone to Navajo lawmakers but fell flat. In 2011, delegates failed to override then President Ben Shelly's veto of a measure that would have prohibited smoking and using chewing tobacco in public spaces except at the Nation’s casinos. In 2014 the Navajo Nation saw dozens of chapters approve resolutions banning smoking in public and at workplaces located within chapters’ boundaries whilst Shelly signed an executive order in that year banning commercial tobacco inside buildings under the control of the executive branch.
Source: Farmington Daily Times, 17 October 2021
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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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