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Smoking has claimed almost eight million lives in the UK in the past 50 years, a charity has calculated. Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has released the analysis to mark its 50th anniversary. It said although progress had been made, two million more deaths were still expected in the next 20 years.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Ash, said: “The government knew about the terrible harms from smoking in the 1950s, but it took the tireless efforts of campaigners to bring about change.”
The modelling, led by Prof Sir Richard Peto, estimates that since 1970, 4.79 million men and 2.95 million women have died of tobacco-related illnesses. In 1971, 65% of men and 42% of women smoked. By 2019, this had fallen to 18 and 14%. ASH, which was set up by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in 1971 to campaign for tobacco control, said there was “still much to do to make the UK smoke-free.”
Supporting the campaign is Alison Griffiths, a Surrey County Councillor, who said: “This year I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. I started smoking at 12 and I was 45 when I was diagnosed and finally stopped. Finding out my life is coming to an end has been unbelievably tough, not just for me but my family too. I share our Government’s vision of a country without smoking and I urge them from the bottom of my heart to take the action needed to make it happen.” She added: “Every day we wait more children are starting and I know how hard it is to stop. I urge all smokers to seriously consider quitting before it's too late. You think it will never happen to you, but it can and it does - unfortunately I am living proof.”
Dr Andrew Goddard, RCP president, said: “My predecessors knew the scale of the challenge to reduce disease from smoking against the all-pervasive influence of the tobacco industry and its cosy relationship with government at the time. It is time for the Government, the NHS and the new public health structures to intensify their efforts.”
Source: The Express, 2 December 2021
ASH Press Release: ASH at 50: Nearly 8 million lives in the UK lost due to tobacco since 1971
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The Prime Minister has rejected a bid by the Health Secretary to ban smoking in pavement seating areas outside pubs and restaurants, Government insiders have revealed. Sajid Javid wanted to stop people who smoke crowding pavements around hospitality venues. But Boris Johnson rejected the proposal after Cabinet colleagues were left “outraged and bemused” by the attempted rule change. The idea was said to have gone down very badly when Javid floated it at a meeting with Cabinet colleagues.
But ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), estimates that smoking could still kill two million people in the next 20 years. Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive of the charity – which yesterday marked its 50th anniversary – said it was “tremendously disappointing” the Government rejected the proposal.
Smoking on pavement seating areas has been banned by at least five councils, including Northumberland, Durham, North Tyneside, Newcastle and the City of Manchester.
Source: The Express, 3 December 2021
See also: ASH Briefing for local authorities: Pavement licenses and smoking
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A charity in Yorkshire has welcomed the inclusion of vaping products as a stop smoking aid in new guidelines. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has, for the first time, included vaping products, also known as electronic cigarettes, as a recommended stop smoking aid in its newly released tobacco guidelines.
Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Easy and reliable access to vaping products will give more people in Yorkshire the best chance of quitting for good.”
The new NICE tobacco guidelines mean that alongside providing clear and up-to-date information about vaping products, stop smoking services should also make these products accessible to adults who want to use them to quit. The guidelines have been changed because there is convincing evidence to show that vaping products are far less harmful than smoking and are an effective stop smoking aid.
Source: The York Press, 2nd December 2021
See also: NICE Guidance - Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence
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In Northern Ireland, more than 80% of adults aged 18 and over used alcohol in 2020-21, an increase of 4% from the previous year. According to the Department of Health’s Health Survey 2020-21 report, a quarter of males (26%) reported drinking three or more days per week. For females, the equivalent category was 15%.
According to the survey’s findings, the overall number of smokers has continued to decrease, with 12% of adults using cigarettes during 2020/21 – down from 17% the previous year. Around a decade ago, in Northern Ireland, smoking prevalence was 24%. Smoking prevalence, however, in the most deprived areas was 22% – around three times that in the least deprived areas (7%). Over the last two years, the number of people who use electronic cigarettes has been steady, with roughly 5% of people choosing the devices.
According to the report’s authors, data collection for the 2020-21 survey went from face-to-face interviews to telephone questioning, which may have influenced how respondents answered the survey questions. They also note some “individual responses to some behavioural, attitudinal and health-related questions may also be impacted to a degree” by government covid restrictions in place at the time of the interviews.
Source: Belfast Telegraph, 2 December 2021
See also: Lung charity delighted at latest smoking stats for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Executive - Health Survey (NI): First Results 2020/21
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Philip Morris will reach its target of 50% sales from smokefree products by 2025 through revenue growth rather than mergers and acquisitions, chief executive Jacek Olczak said in an interview. The maker of Marlboro cigarettes has spent more than $8 billion on reduced-risk products since it began developing them a decade ago.
About 30% of revenue at Philip Morris now comes from “smoke-free” products such as iQOS tobacco heating devices, Olczak added on Thursday. Philip Morris has also set a target of generating $1 billion in sales from non-nicotine products by 2025 as part of its evolution into a broader “healthcare and wellness” company.
Olczak’s comments come nearly two months after Philip Morris bought British inhaler-maker Vectura, a deal which faced opposition from public health experts who questioned whether a tobacco group should own a company that treats the respiratory illnesses which cigarettes cause.
Source: Reuters, 3rd December 2021
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ASH was founded in 1971 by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to end the harm from smoking. Although smoking rates have fallen dramatically since then, nearly 8 million people have died due to smoking. ASH has published a reel to commemorate some of those we have lost to tobacco.
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Alzheimer’s Research UK has launched a cross-sector consensus statement on brain health that aims to put the concept at the forefront of the public health agenda. The statement, Beyond dementia risk reduction: a consensus statement on Brain Health, sets out a course of action for addressing brain health throughout life – not just in old age.
More than 30 leading organisations and specialists across the public health community, including the Faculty of Public Health, Alzheimer’s Society, Stroke Association, Royal Society for Public Health and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), have signed the consensus statement in support of the concept of ‘brain health’ and to show what actions need to happen next to embed it into our healthcare system.
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Nottingham City Council is looking for the right person to lead the development and delivery of a new Tobacco Control Strategy for the city. Reporting directly to a Consultant in Public Health, the role will include developing and coordinating activities and the commissioning of evidence-based interventions that contribute to reducing smoking prevalence. The post holder will need to provide strategic leadership for this agenda across various internal and external stakeholders.
This is a 24-month fixed-term position. The post will be based in Nottingham City Council’s Loxley House office, although full/partial remote working will be considered. The salary starts from £38,890, rising to £40,876 after one year, with the closing date on Wednesday, 8 December 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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