Award for stop smoking service - Buxton Advertiser

Published on Thu Nov 04 08:46:29 GMT 2010

STAFF at the Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service have scooped a national award.

The service was honoured at the Birmingham launch of 2011 No Smoking Day when it was presented with the award for Best Local Media Coverage of its activities for No Smoking Day 2010.

The service was also highly commended for ‘Best Use of the 2010 Break Free Theme’, a symbolic image of arms breaking free from a chain of cigarettes with the slogan “Break Free, We Can Help.”

The service was represented at the event by Stop Smoking and Alcohol Project Co-ordinator Judith Vincent, who received the awards from Under-secretary for Health Anne Milton.

Judith said: “It was a privilege to represent my colleagues at the Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service at the awards night. The recognition the service received at the event is a tribute to the hard work they put in every day.”

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I can't stop smoking pot - Salon

Dear Cary,

I smoke marijuana every day. There are times when I don't smoke, but I've definitely smoked almost every day for several years. I'm an extremely functional smoker (stoner?) -- I'm in grad school, I have a part-time job, I have a good relationship with my family, I have a social life, etc. I usually smoke alone -- most of my friends don't smoke or only smoke occasionally. I usually wait until later on in the day to get high, but I'll sometimes smoke before I go to school/work/coffee/meet up with friends.

Smoking is relaxing, it's fantastic, I really love getting high. I don't do hard drugs -- I only smoke weed. I've researched the topic and I'm not overly concerned about the health ramifications. [To the people who are rushing to comment that marijuana is VERY HARMFUL (psychosis! cancer! we don't really have proof, but it's terrible for you! etc!) -- please don't waste your time.]

I have a history of depression -- it's genetic and occasionally situational. I'm not severely depressed -- but I definitely have depression that waxes and wanes. I'm sure that I'm partially self-medicating, but as medicines go, weed is a pretty good one. I'm definitely psychologically addicted to marijuana.

My family, employers and some friends would be shocked and upset if they knew how often I smoke. I come from a conservative/religious background and I feel guilty about the tension I've created between my public and private life. I doubt anyone would explicitly say it, but most people I know would prefer that I develop a drinking problem as opposed to being a stoner. More important, they'd prefer I not be addicted to any sort of substance.

I enjoy drinking -- but I enjoy smoking far, far more. When I can't get weed, I use alcohol as a substitute. I've started combining the two -- and my drinking has increased. Smoking weed is great, but having a few drinks and smoking is sometimes even better. I'm concerned that I'm developing a drinking problem. I'm pretty sure that I've flirted with developing a drinking problem in the past, but smoking weed has helped me avoid that. Should I stop drinking? Should I restrict my drinking? How concerned should I be about this whole situation?

I'd really appreciate your advice.

J.

Dear J

How concerned should you be? You should be very concerned. From what you say, it sounds like you're one of us, an addictive person who probably can't stop on his own and is headed for trouble. Look at what you're doing. You're substituting one drug for another. That's a sign. You're doing it every day. That's a sign. You can't stop. That's a sign.

If I were you, I wouldn't even bother to try and stop on my own. I'd just skip that futile step and get into a program.

I mean, sure, you're free to try. But here's the thing. We know an awful lot about this. There are so many of us addicts, and many of us are really smart. We know the ins and outs. We have a vast reservoir of knowledge, firsthand accounts, personal experience, medical data, psychological data, systems, programs, literature, societies, support groups, blogs, forums, meetings, specialists, retreats, rehabs, hospitals, books, tapes, movies ...

This is not some mysterious problem you just came up with. If you walk into the world and say, I'm an addict and I'm asking for help, you are going to be showered with help, perhaps more help than you want, and you are going to have the opportunity to get free of this thing and live well and happily without it.

So, frankly, I think you should just get into a program and skip all the intermediate steps of losing your job, losing your friends, crashing cars, being homeless, going to jail, etc. Why bother? Just get into a program now and stop before you really, really, really have a problem.

I'm speaking from experience. I used to smoke like you do. I hid it and felt guilty about it but I really, really loved it. And I didn't see anything wrong with it except that I was getting addicted to it. But eventually all the normal things happened to me that happen to most people who get addicted to things. I lost jobs, friends, lovers, places to live, clothing, self-respect, health, energy, dreams, reputation. You name it, I lost it. And I didn't have to. If I could have stopped earlier, I wouldn't have had to do that. Of course, there are reasons having to do with character why I didn't stop. And of course there is the fact that I just fucking didn't want to.

But, hey. It doesn't have to be that way. You could get into a program now.

So why not? Why not just say fuck it, it's clear where this is heading, and I don't have to go there.

It's going to be obvious to everybody else around you where this is headed. If you choose to keep going, you're going to be the only one pretending that you don't know where it's headed.

Once you're addicted to something, stuff starts to fall apart. Once you're addicted to something, you're no longer free, and you're no longer present. You're gone somewhere. You begin to lose your life.

That was when I stopped: when I became conscious that I was losing my life. But it took a long time. I was betraying my principles and hiding my real life.

The real damage was that I was losing my self, my soul, this innocent personhood to whom I had pledged myself, that I would be a good person, that I would not be a failure, that I would become good at writing and would be a person I could admire, that I would fulfill some kind of promise.

Where did that promise come from? Where did that inkling of virtue come from? You could call it what you like. You could call it the soul, or the divine, or just innocence, or God, or just moral consciousness, or just man's innate reason. There was a part of me that knew better. And I didn't listen to it for a long time.

But finally things got too bad.

So you could stop before things get there. You could just go to a marijuana addicts anonymous meeting and start listening to people's stories. Many stories start out as yours does. Things change over time. It is hard to maintain an addiction that is steady and does not cause deterioration or does not spread. I think that's because addiction changes your overall habits in life. It tends to take over. It undermines your reasoning and decision-making.

You've got something that you're lying about, that you can't control, that is making you feel guilty, and you don't have to do it.

So I'm going to make this quick because I'm going to the Giants World Series victory parade. You've obviously got a problem. These kinds of problems only get worse without intervention. So go get some help. Stop smoking pot and stop drinking. You'll be glad you did. You'll be re-integrated into your family and your social world, and you won't have to be hiding things, and you'll have more energy and clarity of mind as well.

And don't try quitting alone because that doesn't work. You're going to need help.

So that's my advice. You can stop. You really don't have to do it. You can change your life. And you'll be happier after you do.

Want more?

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UW-Stout peer pressuring students to stop smoking - UW Badger Herald

School officials at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the only tobacco-free campus in Wisconsin, met Nov. 2 to discuss ways to enforce the ban on tobacco products on campus, when currently the only enforcement measure is peer pressure.

Last year, students at UW-Stout approved a referendum to ban tobacco products on the campus, making it the first smoke-free four-year university in Wisconsin. Favorable votes were tallied at 55 percent of the students involved. The ban was planned to begin Sept. 1.

Doug Mell, a spokesperson for UW-Stout, said that this was the largest turnout for student voting ever on the campus.

Mell said the program is truly only voluntary at the moment. If anyone, student or faculty is seen using tobacco products someone just needs to remind them of the program and ask politely for the person to stop.

Mell said he believes the program is going well, but could be improved. He added both students and people who attended the meeting have reacted positively to the program.

However, some UW-Stout students feel the ban is not successful and should be improved if it is to be present.

“It seems like a joke. Like we’re just trying to get our name out there,” said UW-Stout sophomore Kyle Reich.

Reich said he feels he sees more smokers than before, and the program is failing to control tobacco use.

Mell said advertising for the anti-smoking campaign is extremely prevalent on campus, and there are signs all over telling students about it on every door, in parking lots and posters in hallways.

Freshmen are made sure to know about the policy before enrolling at UW-Stout, as the welcome and preview materials include information, as well as reminders from admissions staff, Mell added.

Mell said he hopes student organizations and statements by students can help push the plan further.

“Students speaking to students have a powerful effect,” Mell said.

Mell added some people at the meeting suggested issuing citations as a future solution for violators.

“Other campuses are watching us. We’re breaking new ground here. We have to do this right,” Mell said.

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Classes to help stop smoking - Shore News Today

Classes to help stop smoking | General - Middle Twp. Gazette @import "http://shorenewstoday.com/plugins/content/jw_disqus/tmpl/css/template.css"; window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : 'YOUR APP ID', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Home Middle Township Middle Township General News Classes to help stop smoking Shore News Today Shore News Today Ocean CityCape MayWildwoodEHTMainlandDownbeach Main MenuShore News Today - HomeOcean CityUpper TownshipMiddle TownshipMiddle Township General NewsMiddle Township EventsMiddle Township Letters to the EditorMiddle Township BusinessSocially StrollingAdopt a PetClassifiedsPrint VersionCape MayWildwoodEgg Harbor Twp.MainlandBrigantineHamilton Twp.Galloway Twp.DownbeachPleasantvilleRegionalSportsPoliticsAround Our TownAdopt A PetHealth & FitnessClassifiedsContact UsAdvertisingSubscribeLoginSponsored LinksBlogsEasy Living14 Days Classes to help stop smoking Written by Staff Reports  Wednesday, 03 November 2010 11:07View Comments

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Center for Lifestyle Management has scheduled smoking cessation classes each Wednesday in November from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Thomas & Claire Brodesser, Jr. Cancer Center conference room on the ground floor of Cape Regional Medical Center. The fee for the classes is $25, with a refund of $15 if you attend all of the classes.

“It is hard to try to quit smoking because nicotine is a very addictive drug.  It may take two or three tries before finally being able to quit, but it can be done,” reads a statement about the program.

The Smoking Cessation Program at Cape Regional Medical Center includes education about risk factors for smoking, nicotine replacement alternatives, lung function testing, stress management; dietary concerns regarding weight gain and relapse prevention.

For more information, or to sign up for the program, contact Bonnie Kratzer, RN, at the Center for Lifestyle Management at 463-4043.

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Stop smoking figures rise - Wigan Today

Published on Wed Nov 03 09:54:21 GMT 2010

THE number of people managing to quit smoking in Wigan is on the increase.

Figures from Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare’s Stop Smoking Service revealed that it helped 3,530 people in the borough to stop smoking between April 1 2009 and March 31 2010.

The figure shows that 800 more people successfully managed to quit in 2009/10 than in the previous year.

The 2010 Local Health Profile figures show that in the Wigan, 26 per cent of the adult population smoke, which is more than the national average at 21 per cent.

However in 2003, the earliest figures held my Community Healthcare, 29.5 per cent of people in the borough smoked.

Figures provided by the borough’s Stop Smoking Service show that 43 per cent of all clients who set a date to quit, manage to stop smoking.

Stop Smoking Service Team Leader Nicola Ball said: “Stopping smoking is the single most important thing that you can do to improve your health. It’s really encouraging that more people in the borough are taking the decision to stop smoking.

“I know it’s not easy but thanks to the right help and support more and more people are managing to quit and are reaping the physical and financial benefits of being smoke free.

“You are four times more likely to quit for good if you have the support of the free NHS Stop Smoking Service.”

The Stop Smoking Service provides free specialist support with the aim of reducing smoking related mortality.

The service is able to support clients with long-term health conditions in the community and hospital and also provide specialist support to pregnant smokers.

The Stop Smoking Service has specialist midwives available to offer one-to-one support and advice on nicotine replacement therapy for expectant mothers throughout pregnancy.

The team can offer local, friendly support for people who want to stop smoking through a variety of means including one-to-one sessions, group sessions and by providing advice on nicotine replacement therapy.

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Quit Smoking Before You Start; Or, How to Stop Smoking - Suite101.com

A few centuries after dinosaurs became extinct, somewhere in the 1960’s, my fifth-grade science teacher turned his entire class against smoking in the most effective way I’ve seen to date. Every day, for the entire school year, he fed one cigarette to a glass jar filled with cotton balls. Within a week, those cotton balls weren’t white anymore. By June, all we ten-year-olds saw was a sickening black muck. Point made. That’s what would happen to our lungs after 9 months if we only smoked one cigarette a day. Leaving to our imaginations what could happen if we smoked more. Not one friend from the fifth grade ever smoked cigarettes.

On November 2, 200, Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Director of the United States Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ), made available a release for consumers aimed at helping cigarette smokers end that habit. Dr. Clancy’s article, “Quitting Smoking, You Can Do It,” offers many resources for smokers who have tried to quit, and just couldn’t. Call it an addiction or habit, smoking cessation is not easy.

Though no easy endeavor, Dr. Clancy reports that chances of succeeding, to actually quit smoking, improve when you have help. As her article reports, “[t]obacco users who get counseling, combined with medication and other support, have a much better chance of quitting and staying tobacco-free.”

In this post-dinosaur era, support is growing. In fact, many medical and health plans, including Medicare, cover counseling for smoking cessation. In addition, several resources, including the AHRQ, make helpful information and resources available for smokers who want to kick the habit.

Dr. Clancy offers the following additional resource available on the Internet and by telephone: Smokefree.gov (real-time text messaging with a National Cancer Institute Counselor) or call 1-877-448-7848 to talk with a counselor.

In just a few days, November 18, the United States Great American Smokeout takes place – making this an opportune time to jump on the “no smoking” bandwagon and take advantage of the many resources intended to help smokers shed the costly habit. Dr. Clancy says that now is the best time to quit. Imagine that cotton jar. What do you think your lungs look like?

Imagine your pocketbook in this recession. Instead of running for a cigarette to calm recession-related stress, save that money, and inhale a long deep breath to soothe your anxiety. People who smoke a pack a day will save $1,800 a year.

Dr. Clancy reiterates fairly common knowledge. “Smoking is not only dangerous to your health, but also deadly. Almost one in every five deaths in the United States every year is from tobacco-related diseases. This equals an estimated 443,000 people, and thousands of nonsmokers die annually as a result of secondhand smoke.“

Here’s a daunting question? Which do you think kills more people each year, tobacco, car accidents, suicide, HIV, homicide or illegal drug use? The answer? Tobacco kills more people than all the rest combined – every year.

Set a date to quit. Let your family, friends and colleagues know your plans and ask for their support. Dispose of your cigarettes, and all the accompaniments, such as ashtrays. Create a smoke-free environment at home and do not let others smoke there either.

Medicines such as gum, patches, and lozenges help can help you fight the urge to smoke. Remember that your doctor also can prescribe supportive medications that enable you to step away from that cigarette. Many health insurance plans will cover these medications.

The new health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act requires new health plans to offer improved access to counseling aimed at smoking cessation. Medicare now covers 5.5 million smokers. As of January 1, 2011, Medicare will be required to cover counseling to help those smokers quit at no cost to the smoker, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with a tobacco-related illness.

As the proven number one cause of disease and death, smokers are learning that their actions affect not only themselves, but those around them, including damaging the health of non-smokers. My grandmother died of emphysema and she never smoked a day in her life. I’ll admit that I’ve been tempted, and then I picture those black, mucky, sticky-gunk of formerly perfectly white cotton balls, after only one cigarette a day, for nine months.

My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Williams, is a hero. It’s not too late to ask for help and be your own hero. No one in their right mind says it’s easy to walk away from that cigarette with your name on it, but it can be easier if you ask for help. And if you know someone who plans to stop smoking, you too can make a big difference by offering support.

“It’s never too late to quit,” says Dr. Clancy. Not as long as you have the breath to do so.

"Quitting Smoking: You Can Do It." Navigating the Health Care System: Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy, November 2, 2010. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc110210.htm

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Runners hold fun run vs smoking - ABS CBN News

MANILA Philippines – Aimed at encouraging chronic smokers to stop smoking through running, the 1st Kick the Habit Fun Run unfolds on November 14 around the Newport City commercial and residential complex near Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

“With 17 million smokers in the country, we hope that our event will raise public awareness of this pressing health issue and encourage them to quit by running,” said race organizer Ronald delos Reyes during Tuesday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.

Joining him in the session sponsored by Shakey’s, Pagcor and Outlast battery was co-promoter and Blue Magnet Marketing Solutions marketing director Rommel Bobiles, himself a smoker who used to consume at least 6 packs of cigarettes a day.

“Thanks to running, we’re now down to much less than that daily,” said Bobiles. “And eventually, we want to ultimately quit and kick the habit.”

Bobiles said he teamed up with Delos Reyes “because we believe that running is an ideal vehicle for our advocacy in urging many Filipinos to give up their nicotine fix.”

Unlike other road races, participants in the men’s and women’s 3K and 5K races will not be going for winning times.

Instead, runners will be paired off with smokers, who will be coaxed to end their respective races since their arms are tied to each other.

“Every smoker who wants to quit needs the support of friends and family for him to be able to reach the goal towards a smoke-free life,” both Delos Reyes and Bobiles said. “This is something we want to promote with the 1st Kick the Habit Run.”

There will also be a group category for runners who can form a team of four members each, they added.

A celebrity who credits running for kicking the cigarette habit is actor-magician Bearwin Meily, who will also be joining the event, Delos Reyes said.

He said those interested can still register at the North Face store at the SM North Annex, R.O.X at Bonifacio High Street in the Fort in Taguig City, all Fitness First branches, and Time Depot at the SM Mall of Asia.

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Taxing smokers helps them give up - Newstalk ZB

New research by Auckland University says more Maori, Pacific and low income smokers are ditching the habit following the rise in excise tax in April

More evidence that taxing smokers heavily is forcing them to give up.

It comes in new research by the Auckland University's Centre for Tobacco Control Research.

It says more Maori, Pacific and low income smokers are ditching the habit following the rise in excise tax in April.

A survey's found that 65 per cent of participants had tried to stop smoking since then, double the quitting rates reported in a national survey, which found that about a third had tried to quit in the last year.

The survey also found people weren't switching to loose tobacco, as has happened with previous price hikes.

The KiaOraMai Awesome Service Awards salute those in business who have looked after you like family.

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Acupuncture found helpful in quitting smoking - Taiwan Today

The Department of Health's Bureau of Health Promotion is registering success using acupuncture to help university students stop smoking.

A survey of college students by bureau revealed that 7.5 percent are smokers, with 13 percent of males and 2 percent of females smoking. You Bo-cun, director of the bureau's Office of Health Education, said the bureau is promoting smokeless campuses to reduce the smoking rate among young people.

Graduate student Chan Chian-chih at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology started smoking while still in middle school. He enrolled in a quit-smoking class after being bombarded by the school nurse's lectures on how one should give up the bad habit.

"It's weird. By around the fourth week, I suddenly couldn't stand the smell of smoke anymore!" After eight weeks, plus acupuncture treatment and avoidance of invitations from friends, he has successfully kicked a multiyear smoking addiction.

Chan used to smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, going through seven to eight packs a month. However, after the acupuncture treatment, he started to feel revolted by the smell of tobacco, and began to reduce his use. Shocked at the result, Chan felt in increasingly better spirits thereafter, and gained several kilograms.

Today, he no longer takes the treatment, but still massages acupuncture points in his ears. "The ear treatment has no side effects, and I suggest that anyone who wants to quit should give it a try," he said

Over the past year, the Bureau of Health Promotion has teamed up with the Ministry of Education to run smoking prevention programs at 31 university campuses. Over 700 students have enrolled in 24 classes, in addition to other programs offered. Of these, 110 have successfully quit smoking, and 400 have cut their cigarette use in half.

(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times Nov. 2.)

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Weight-loss, stop-smoking seminars at JCC - Edison Sentinel

Weight-loss, stop-smoking seminars at JCC

The Hypnosis Counseling Center will present a set of workshops Nov. 11 for smoking cessation and weight loss at the Edison JCC, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison. Each one-hour workshop includes hypnosis exercises, discussion and an optional CD for $18, which assists in reinforcing immediate results and longrange success. The workshops can be taken individually or as a set.

The smoking cessation workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs to 7:30, and the weight-loss group will continue from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30. Barry Wolfson, who holds a master’s degree in counseling and has 25 years of proven success in the art of hypnosis, will lead each workshop.

The cost per workshop is $45. Registration begins immediately, and participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For registration or further information, call 908-996-3311.

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More Women Than Men Try To Give-Up Smoking With Women Prioritising Quitting ... - Medical News Today (press release)

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
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A new online surgery launches as part of a nationwide campaign to support people to quit smoking. In particular, there are an estimated 3 million women in the UK who want to quit smoking,[3,4] with more than ever trying to quit,[5 ]but the majority are still likely to relapse without expert support.6 The national awareness campaign is supported by Pfizer Life with the charity QUIT® and involves well-known TV doctor and women's health spokesperson, Dr Sarah Jarvis. People can seek information and arrange a free independent, confidential consultation with a GP via the Quit With Help website, from 1-7 November 2010.

A new survey reveals women smokers' complex dependence on cigarettes and that confusion around health risks may be hindering their efforts to quit. The survey of 240 women smokers suggests their number one priority for the year is to quit smoking, above improving their career and having a happy relationship. It also indicates that nearly half consider stress as great a barrier to quitting as their addiction to nicotine. In addition, around one in three rely on cigarettes to get through the day and almost a quarter feel weight concerns prevent them from giving up cigarettes.[1]

The survey suggests women who smoke are confused about some of the health risks associated with cigarettes and at least a quarter are unaware that smoking increases premature ageing and wrinkles. Although the majority of respondents understand the link to lung cancer and mouth/throat cancer, almost half are unaware of the risk of stroke, despite this being doubled in heavy smokers.[7] Few are aware of the increased risk of cervical cancer and over 40% are unaware that smoking causes low birth weight in babies.[1]

"One hundred and forty women die every day from cigarettes,[8] so we need to work together to help women quit smoking. Although more women than men try to quit smoking every year, women can face a greater struggle and their success rates are slightly lower than men.[5] This may be partly explained by women's emotional dependence on cigarettes and the fact they often start smoking at a young age.[9-11] Tailored support can be particularly useful for women who want to quit smoking. Do ask for expert advice if you want to quit as there are a number of ways we can help. Ring Quitline 0800 00 22 00, emailstopsmoking@quit.org.uk or visit the Quit With Help website," Amanda Carmichael, Director of Operations, QUIT®.

Although the majority of women smokers surveyed were aware of free NHS help,[1] most rely on willpower alone when trying to quit, without seeking professional help.[3] Unfortunately, only 3% of smokers who quit smoking in this way will be smoke free after a year.[6] There seems to be reluctance among many women smokers to seek medical advice, with a YouGov survey showing a quarter consider the doctor a last resort, and the general assumption among 87% of respondents that smoking is simply a lifestyle choice rather than something which could be discussed with a healthcare professional.[2]

It is the same however for men and women. If they are determined to quit, seeking medical support from a healthcare professional or NHS Stop Smoking Service is proven to dramatically boost their chance of beating cigarettes by at least double.[12]

Dr Sarah Jarvis explains, "If you're thinking of quitting, don't be afraid to ask for help or visit here for friendly tips and advice. Even if you've smoked for years and been unable to quit before, a conversation with a stop smoking expert can help with the mental and physical battle, increasing your chance of a successful quit attempt.[12] The sooner you stop smoking, the sooner you'll notice the benefits to your health and skin."[13]

Visitors to Quit With Help website, will have the chance to chat confidentially to a GP, including Dr Jarvis, from 1-7 November 2010. (See details below for availability).

Notes

About Quit With Help

- Quit With Help is currently running a nationwide TV and print advertising campaign, involving real smokers who have successfully managed to quit. The campaign's aim is to help smokers who want to quit increase their chance of success by seeking expert help, whilst providing online information and advice.

- To have a confidential, instant conversation about quitting smoking with a doctor online, including Dr Sarah Jarvis, visit the Quit With Help website. GPs will be available from 1-7 November from 12-3pm and 5.30-10.30pm.

- Women visiting the site can also uncover the benefits of quitting and see out how smoking can prematurely age them and affect their looks.

About quitting smoking

- The majority of smokers start as teenagers[11] and can become addicted within a year.[14] Around half of these young adults will be smoking at the age of 60, with one in two lifetime smokers likely to die prematurely from smoking-related diseases.[9,14]

- Addiction to nicotine is the main reason smoking is hard to quit.9 With every inhalation, nicotine releases 'feel good' chemicals in the brain, which drive the physical and psychological dependence on cigarettes and can cause withdrawal effects and cravings when smokers try to quit.[15]

- Latest NHS Stop Smoking statistics reveal that more women than men tried to quit smoking last year (393,805 women versus 363,732 men).[5]

- NHS Stop Smoking Services helped nearly 200,000 women to quit last year5 and have saved 70,000 lives since their launch in 2000.[16]

References:

1. Pfizer commissioned survey by ICM Research, Oct 2010

2. Pfizer commissioned survey YouGov Plc Nov/Dev 2009

3. Lader D. Smoking related behaviour and attitudes, 2008/09. London: Office for National Statistics, 2009, p33, p17 See here.

4. Office for National Statistics. Population Estimates June 2010 (20% of female population over 16 = 5.2 million smokers, 66% of whom want to quit = 3.4 million)

5. Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2009 - March 2010. See here.

6. Parrott S, Godfrey C, Raw M et al. Guidance for commissioners on the cost effectiveness of smoking cessations interventions. Thorax 1998;53:S2-S37.

7. Smith PEM. Smoking and stroke: a causative role. Br Med J 1998; 317: 962-3

8. Peto R et al. Mortality From Smoking In Developed Countries 1950-2000 (2nd edition: updated June 2006), p499

9. World Health Organization. Women and the tobacco epidemic: challenges for the 21st century. Geneva: WHO, 2001.

10. Action on Smoking and Health: Essential Information On Young People And Smoking. Aug 2010

11. Office for National Statistics Social Survey Division. Living in Britain. Results from the 1998 General Household Survey

12. NHS Stop Smoking Services. Service and monitoring guidance 2009/10

13. Action on Smoking and Health. Stopping smoking: the benefits and aids to quitting. April 2010

14. Nicotine Addiction in Britain. A report of the Tobacco Advisory Group of The Royal College of Physicians 2000

15. Peters MJ et al. The pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation. Med J Aust 2202;176:486-490

16. NHS Choices. Your Health, your choices. See here.

Source:
Pfizer
QUIT®

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10 Reasons to Give the Electronic Cigarette a Try - WooEB

Los Angeles 11/01/2010 02:10 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Have you been wondering why people are switching to electronic cigarettes -- or E cigarettes -- especially long-time smokers who have tried many other methods to quit traditional cigarettes? Customer surveys indicate that there are actually many reasons smokers are finding it easy to stop "smoking" and start "vap-ing." Here are 10 benefits found by satisfied E-cigarette customers.

No Ashtrays
Since E-cigarettes do not burn any combustible material, they do not create ashes or cigarette butts that require an ashtray. A simple kit, usually no bigger than a cigar box, holds all of the materials you need to recharge, refresh and clean electronic cigarettes. Starter kits usually come with handy carrying pouches that resemble regular cigarette holders.

No Personal Odor
Unlike regular cigarettes that create a "tobacco smell," an E-cigarette will not leave your breath smelling of smoke or produce unpleasant odors that can cling to your clothing, draperies, upholstery or carpets.

No "Smokers Cough"
E-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a controlled water vapor which does not include tar and other carcinogens produced by regular cigarettes that cause mucus buildup and shortness of breath. Many long-time smokers report that their "smoker's cough" clears up after a few months once they have switched to E-cigarettes.

Fewer Restrictions
You can almost ignore the "No Smoking" signs and light up an E-cigarette in any environment you choose since it does not smell, create secondhand smoke or generate ashes or involve combustible material. Of course, you may have to explain to those around you that you are not violating any ordinances and be prepared to cease "vap-ing" if so directed.

No Tobacco Tax
E-cigarettes are not subjected sudden tax hikes that lawmakers can impose on commercial cigarettes, so the price is more stable.

Spend Less
In side-by-side comparisons with commercial cigarettes regarding consumption vs. cost, E-cigarettes wind up costing $2.00-$3.00 per pack, a considerable savings. Besides the cost-per-pack analysis, many smokers find further savings by buying in bulk or taking advantage of memberships, buying clubs and special promotions.

Feel Better
Smokers who switch to E-cigarettes say that they experience increased lung capacity which has made them feel more vigorous, vital and youthful.

Cut Down or Eliminate Cigarettes
Many E-cigarette users find that they can reduce or sometimes totally eliminate their desire for regular cigarettes and can gradually reduce the amount of nicotine their E-cigarette produces, effetively weaning them off the chemical addiction without having to give up the physical habit of smoking.

Look Cool
Remember how glamorous those old movie stars with their elegant cigarette holders seemed, especially compared to the inglorious image of smokers these days? E-cigarettes are fashioned to recreate that sense of savoir-faire with their stylish, sleek designs and glowing LED tip in modern electric blue or traditional cozy orange.

"Spread the Word"
You may well make a lot of new friends as curious people -- especially other smokers -- want to ask you about about the benefits of E-cigarettes, so you will be soon be making your own list of reasons for switching.

More info on http://www.new-smoke.com

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Mums-to-be get a smoking warning - Burton Mail

WOMEN in South Derbyshire are ignoring health warnings by smoking during pregnancy, new figures reveal today.

A survey by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) showed that during 2008-09 the number of mums-to-be refusing to kick the habit was ‘significantly worse than the national average’.

Derbyshire's Director of Public Health, Dr David Black, said: "We know smoking during pregnancy is a challenge for us and is much more likely in young mothers and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"We are working very hard with maternity services, midwives, GPs and others and have a dedicated stop smoking service for pregnant women to give them the help and support they may need.

"We have worked very hard to make sure that we fully record information on smoking in pregnancy, which means our data is very complete so we know exactly how we are doing and how best to plan our services.”

Overall, nearly 15 per cent of women who gave birth across England during the same period said they smoked during pregnancy.

But there was better news on other fronts, with South Derbyshire outperforming the national average for the number of deaths from lung cancer in 2006-08 and cancer registrations in 2005-07.

Figures released for East Staffordshire showed that it was also ‘significantly better’ than the national average in these groups.

The Department of Health commissioned the research, which was led by the London Health Observatory.

This was on behalf of the APHO, which represents 12 public health groups.

Dr Black said: “Smoking is the biggest cause of death in England, accounting for between one in six and one in 10 deaths.

“What this data shows is that the proportion of deaths caused by smoking in Derbyshire is lower than the average for England.

“Derbyshire has been operating stop smoking services for 10 years and we work with other organisations, including schools, to help people not to start smoking, to reduce the availability of counterfeit and smuggled tobacco and to create smoke-free environments wherever possible.

“Partly as a result of all this work, we can see that deaths in Derbyshire due to smoking are falling and are below the average for England.

“Statistics show that smokers who seek support from Derbyshire Stop Smoking Services and other NHS stop smoking services have a lot of success giving up smoking.”

* Anyone thinking about quitting smoking should telephone Derbyshire Stop Smoking Services on 0800 085 2299.

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