If you smoke, giving up is probably the greatest single step you can take to improve your health.
Smoking in England
The rates of smoking have fallen sharply in England. In 1980, approximately one in three adults smoked, but by 2007 this figure had fallen to one in five adults.
Levels of smoking are highest in younger adults aged 20-34 and lowest in adults aged over 60. Slightly more men (22%) smoke than women (19%).
Smoking in children
Despite it being against the law, levels of smoking are unacceptably high in children.
It is estimated that 6% of children aged 11 to 15 are regular smokers. This is particularly worrying as the longer a person smokes, the more likely it is that they will die from a smoking-related disease.
Impact on health
Smoking’s impact on public health is huge.
In the years from 2007 to 2008 there were 1.4 million NHS hospital admissions for diseases caused by smoking.
Smoking is responsible for one in every five deaths in adults aged over 35 in England, and half of all long-term smokers will die prematurely due to a smoking-related disease. In 2008, smoking caused 83,900 deaths in England.
Smoking is a leading risk factor for many debilitating and, in many cases, potentially fatal health conditions such as:
Smoking and the law
Since July 1 2007, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England have been smoke-free. It is illegal to smoke inside pubs, bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants, lunch rooms, membership clubs and shopping centres.
The smoke-free law was introduced to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of passive smoking (secondhand smoke).
Under the smoke-free law, you are unable to smoke inside at work, including in smoking rooms.
Public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person are also smoke-free. No-smoking signs must be displayed in all smoke-free premises and vehicles.
Anyone who smokes in a smoke-free place may face an on-the-spot fine of £50 (or up to £200 if the matter goes to court). Anyone in charge of smoke-free premises or vehicles can face fines for two separate offences: failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free place and failing to display no-smoking signs.
Since October 2007 in England, Scotland and Wales, it is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. The age limit was previously 16. This includes the sale of cigars, rolling tobacco, rolling papers and cigarettes from vending machines. This change in the law makes the age restriction the same as the age restriction for buying alcohol.
Getting help
Around 65% of smokers say they want to stop smoking, but most believe they are unable to. However, around half of all smokers eventually manage to give up.
The primary service for people who want to quit smoking is the NHS Stop Smoking Service (NHS SSS). The NHS SSS offer a range of free treatments, advice and support for people who want to quit smoking, and it has a good track record of success. It is estimated that since its launch in 2000, the NHS SSS has saved 70,000 lives.
See ‘Quitting smoking – treatment’ for more information on the NHS SSS.
