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.
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