Smoking cessation support in Wales

Once you’ve decided to quit smoking, the next decision you’ll have to make is how.

Giving up an addiction to smoking isn’t simply a case of stubbing out your last cigarette and getting on with your new smoke-free life. You’ll probably need a helping hand, whether that’s by using nicotine replacement therapy or accessing support from a smoking cessation adviser.

There are a range of different options out there for those who decide to quit and navigating your way through the choices can be bewildering as there is no one size fits all solution. Luckily in Wales, there is a service that can do the hard work for you.

Help Me Quit is run by NHS Wales and offers free smoking cessation support to everybody in Wales. Its advisers will help to find the quit smoking support that suits you best, including weekly group and one to one sessions with a smoking cessation adviser. The Help Me Quit website is also packed with information on how to quit and the different support options that are available in Wales. For more information click here .

You may also be able to access quit smoking support from your local pharmacy.  Some pharmacists are licensed to offer Level 3 smoking cessation support which means they offer one to one support as well as nicotine replacement therapy such as patches or gum. Meanwhile those offering Level 2 support provide NRT to those receiving behavioural support from Help Me Quit.  Find your local pharmacy here.

A visit to GP can be a good first step .They can offer advice and support on giving up smoking and can talk through all the fantastic health benefits of quitting. A GP can refer you to Help Me Quit and explain the different NRT products that are available.

? It can also help to speak to people who are also in the process of quitting smoking or have successfully done so.  Quit Smoking (Wales) is a closed Facebook group which is open to both smokers and non-smokers and provides a non-judgmental space in which people can share their quit smoking experiences.

To become a member of the group click here .

Scamp the tobacco sniffer dog scoops top award

SCAMP, the Welsh sniffer dog so successful that smugglers put a price on his head, has won a prestigious award.

Earlier this year, ASH Wales revealed that Scamp had sniffed out £6million worth of illegal tobacco during his six-year career, leading a criminal gang to put a £25,000 bounty on his head.

And now, the springer spaniel’s exceptional talents have been recognised by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) who have awarded him this year’s Institutes Hero award.

Scamp’s owner Stuart Phillips, who runs B.W.Y Canine in Pembrokeshire, and who trained him to sniff out tobacco as a puppy, said he was ‘exceptionally proud’ that his star pupil had scooped the award:
“I feel exceptionally proud to own, train and work with Scamp. Dogs like him do not come along very often and to have received the Institutes Hero Award is amazing. Scamp has made an unrivalled impression on consumer protection in the UK working with Trading Standards and I’m so glad he’s been recognised.”

Since starting out Scamp, who is also trained to sniff out cash, has worked with over 100 Trading Standards services across the UK sniffing out huge hauls of tobacco from even the hardest to find hiding places as well as wads of cash worth up to £60,000.

His success, says Stuart, is down to his natural hunting instincts and strong worth ethic, which his owner spotted right from the start, after taking him on as a puppy:

“As a dog trainer and dog handler you can only work with what you’ve got. Scamp came from a family who couldn’t cope with him and from day one I knew he was a good dog. Training Scamp is relatively easy, he is a dog that wants to work and he learns pretty quickly. Training him was the easy part, Scamp does all the hard work, sniffing out the illegal tobacco, which the majority of the time is very sophisticatedly hidden.”

However, despite his success, Scamp has his feet firmly on the ground, preferring to stay well out of the limelight as Stuart describes:

“Scamp is a unique dog, he’s actually quite an unsociable dog and doesn’t really like any attention, he just does his job and does it very well. He leads a relatively simple life. He goes to work, does an amazing job and when he returns home all he wants to do is sleep on the sofa and go out down the fields to feed the chickens and annoy the geese we have.

“Almost all of our other dogs love to have attention and a fuss and you always know they’re there, but Scamp is not like this, he is a simple, but highly successful search dog.”

ASH Wales is leading the campaign to tackle the problem of illegal tobacco in Wales. A survey carried out by ASH Wales in 2014 revealed that up to 15% of all tobacco sold in Wales, around 1 million cigarettes a day, is illegal, the highest level in the UK.
Meanwhile 45% of all smokers in Wales have been offered illegal tobacco and 70% of buyers agree that it allows them to smoke when they can’t afford it.

ASH Wales welcomes fall in the number of smokers in Wales

ASH Wales has welcomed the news from the latest National Survey for Wales that smoking prevalence in the country has dropped from 19% to 17%.
However, it warns that with over 450,000 people in Wales continuing to light up, and prevalence highest in the country’s most deprived communities, reducing smoking should remain a major public health priority.

According to the latest figures from the National Survey for Wales 2018-2019, 17% of adults in Wales now smoke, 18% of men and 16% of women.
Smoking rates are highest in Wales’ poorest communities with 21% of adults smoking in the most deprived areas, a fall of 7 percentage points since the 2017-18 survey was undertaken. Smoking prevalence remains at 13% in the least deprived areas.

Overall the figures mean the Welsh Government is now 1% off its target to reduce smoking prevalence to 16% of the population by 2020.
The decrease follows a year of continued investment in national stop smoking services in Wales. Robust tobacco control measures and the introduction of smoke free spaces across Wales have also led to the country moving one step closer to becoming smoke-free.
Smoking looks to become even less common when the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 comes into force, banning smoking in school grounds, hospital grounds and playgrounds.

First Minister Mark Drakeford, described the results of the survey as “extremely positive” and said the Welsh Government remains committed to tackling smoking prevalence in Wales:

“The latest National Survey for Wales showing a further drop in smoking rates is extremely positive – we are now very close to reaching our target of cutting adult smoking rates to 16% by 2020. We are committed to doing all we can to reducing smoking rates across Wales and supporting smokers who want to quit.

“Our Public Health (Wales) Act includes new measures to restrict smoking in outdoor children’s play areas and educational settings, further helping to protect children and young people from second hand-smoke.”

Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales, said she hoped the results reflect a shift in attitudes towards smoking in Wales: “Smoking is responsible for thousands of deaths in Wales every year, at a huge cost to the country’s NHS, not to mention the devastating impact on families.

“We are encouraged to hear smoking rates have fallen and believe this is due to a combination of factors including smoking bans, smoke free spaces and the rise in the popularity of e-cigarettes as a smoking substitute.
“It is our hope that these changes reflect a change in attitudes towards smoking, which was once perceived as a normal lifestyle choice but is now viewed by many as a life-threatening addiction which destroys lives.”
She went on to say however, that despite the decline in smoking rates there is still much work to be done in tackling smoking prevalence, particularly among the most deprived areas of Wales.

“We cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to tobacco control. Great progress has been made however, smoking remains a major cause of health inequalities, poverty and death in Wales, with prevalence still highest in our most deprived communities.
“Smoking rates among our young people remain stubbornly high, with 9% of 15-16-year-olds still smoking weekly and the availability of illegal tobacco provides a ready supply of deadly cigarettes at pocket money prices.
“Reducing smoking prevalence in Wales must remain a major public health priority and form part of any agenda aimed at improving the nation’s health.”

Ten reasons why smoking is bad for the planet

Tobacco agriculture causes huge environmental damage. According to the World Health Organisation an estimated 200,000 hectares of forests and woodlands are cut down each year because of tobacco farming

– Contrary to popular belief, cigarette butts are not biodegradable and remain in the environment for up to 15 years once they have been discarded

– Cigarette butts contain plastic. Many of those dropped into the streets fall down the drains and eventually find their way into the sea creating what Sir David Attenborough has described as a ‘toxic soup’

– The filters within cigarettes contain harmful chemicals including arsenic, lead and nicotine that pollute the waterways and endanger the animals that ingest them

– Cigarettes butts are the most littered item in the world and it is estimated that 122 tonnes of smoking related litter is dropped every day

– One cigarette butt left to soak in water for 96 hours will release enough toxins to kill half of the salt or fresh water fish that are exposed to it

-In 2017 cigarette butts were found to be the fourth most common littered item on beaches in Wales during the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean

– Discarded cigarette butts often get caught between paving stones or trapped in tree grates making them expensive and difficult to clean up

-Cigarette ends have been found in the guts of whales, dolphins, turtles and sea birds, which have mistaken them for food

– When animals ingest cigarette butts it leads to inflammation of the digestive system, a blockage in the gut which can be fatal and leaching of toxic chemicals into the bloodstream

Top Welsh surgeon warns men to stop smoking or risk suffering erectile dysfunction

SMOKING is a major cause of impotence and low sperm count, a leading Welsh surgeon has warned as part of Men’s Health Week.
Professor Gareth Brown, Consultant Urological Surgeon at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, has urged male smokers to quit the habit or risk suffering erectile dysfunction and reduced sperm count.

He explained that smoking restricts blood flow to the penis, and said that it also affects the quality and quantity of men’s sperm, potentially leading to infertility in male smokers:

Professor Gareth Brown

“I think with all the press and publicity today most people are aware of how unhealthy smoking is but they don’t associate it with being a cause of erectile dysfunction. We now know that smoking leads to a narrowing of the blood vessels caused by some of the chemicals inhaled, and also through the formation of a plaque called atherosclerosis which restricts the blood flow to the penis leading to erectile dysfunction.

“It can also cause male infertility by affecting sperm production by reducing the quality and quantity.”

Professor Brown went on to say, however, that quitting smoking can reverse or reduce some of these effects:

Stopping smoking can improve and in some cases may reverse the symptoms particularly fertility and erectile dysfunction. It depends on the quantity and duration smoked. Long term smoking has detrimental effects some of which cannot be reversed, however smoking cessation can stop symptoms progressing and make treatments more effective.”

An Australian study carried out by researchers from Imperial College London in 2006, found that men who smoke a pack or more of cigarettes daily are nearly 40% more likely to be impotent than non-smokers. Meanwhile even smoking less than 20 cigarettes a day was found to increase the risk of impotence by 24%.
Across Wales, 21% of men smoke compared to 17% of women. Smoking rates are highest in the most deprived areas the country; 28% compared to 13% in the most affluent areas.

Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales, urged male smokers to seek help to quit: “We know that breaking the cycle of addiction is a huge challenge for smokers. But our message to men is that they don’t need to suffer in silence.
“NHS Wales’ Help me quit service offers free tailored support to all smokers in Wales and is just a phone call or email away. Taking your first step on the journey to a smoke-free life won’t be easy but it’s a move you’ll never regret.”

Martin Tod is Chief Executive of the Men’s Health Forum, organisers of Men’s Health Week. He said:

Even today, in Wales, nearly one man in five dies before the age of 65 – before retirement age – and smoking is still the biggest avoidable cause of early death for men in Wales. Men are still more likely to smoke than women. But smoking doesn’t just kill men, it’s also a big cause of impotence and low sperm count. There’s no shame in getting help to quit. Addiction is tough to tackle, but there’s good free support out there and it makes a real difference.”

Across Wales 19% of adults smoke and there are 5,388 smoking attributable deaths in Wales every year. Smoking costs the NHS in Wales £302million a year and in 2017 lung cancer caused more deaths in Wales than bowel and breast cancer combined.

Dr Ramsey Sabit, is Respiratory Consultant at Spire Cardiff Hospital and the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. He said: “We know that half of smokers will die of a condition directly related to their habit and that a smoker will lose an average of 10 years off their life expectancy.

So, my message to male smokers is simple – if you want to live a longer life with less chance of a whole host of chronic diseases, then it is essential to stop smoking. It is never too late to give up but giving up completely is essential as even a few cigarettes per day increase your risks of smoking related disease.”

For support to give up smoking contact Help Me Quit on 0800 085 2219.

Survey reveals support for tougher tobacco control in Wales including smoking bans in town centres

The people of Wales are calling for tougher measures to reduce smoking prevalence, including bans on smoking in all town centres.

Results from the latest ASH Wales Cymru YouGov survey into attitudes towards tobacco control in Wales have been published to mark World No Tobacco Day and reveal overwhelming support for new measures and outdoor smoking bans.

Of those surveyed, 59% said they would support a ban on smoking in all town centres in Wales and 63% agreed smoking should be banned in the outdoor eating areas of cafes and restaurants. Meanwhile 63% of those surveyed said they would support a move to ban smoking in all cars.

According to the survey, nearly half (47%) of Welsh adults feel the government is not doing enough to reduce smoking prevalence in Wales up from 39% in 2018. A total of 68%, said they would support new government action to reduce smoking rates to less than 5% by 2035.

There was strong support too for measures aimed at reducing smoking among young people; 58% said they would support raising the age of sale limit for tobacco from 18 to 21. Meanwhile 83% called for businesses to be required to hold a valid licence to sell tobacco which would be removed if they were found selling to underage smokers more than once.  The survey also found 67% of Welsh adults support banning smoking from entertainment media aimed at young people.

John Griffiths AM, chairman of the Welsh Assembly’s Cross-Party Group on Smoking, said funding is needed to support smoking cessation activity in the community:

“As Chair of the Welsh Assembly’s Cross-Party Group on Smoking, I welcome the latest YouGov survey results which highlight that there is strong support for tackling smoking in Wales. The results show that nearly 70% of people would support new action to reduce smoking prevalence in Wales by 2035.

“Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable mortality and health inequality in Wales and rates have stagnated at 19% since 2015. Community based actions at grass roots levels must have the financial support they need to effectively help people quit cigarettes for good. I look forward to continuing to work alongside ASH Cymru to further improve smoking cessation services and ensure we soon have a smoke-free Wales.”

Suzanne Cass is CEO of ASH Wales Cymru. She said the survey results prove how far the tide of public opinion has turned against smoking:

“These survey results show just how far we’ve come, from a society in which smoking was regarded as a normal part of daily life, to one where the public are demanding tougher measures to help stamp out this deadly addiction.

“There is now far greater awareness of the devastating health consequences of smoking with the older generation now suffering the consequences of a lifetime of smoking and 5,388 smoking related deaths in Wales alone every year.

“Thanks to a combination of tobacco control measures and campaigns to raise awareness of the impact of smoking on people’s lives, it is gradually become de-normalised, particularly among the all-important younger generation.”

The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day, is the impact of tobacco on lung health. Currently smoking prevalence in Wales stands at 19% of the adult population – 476,000 adults.

There are 5,388 smoking attributable deaths annually in Wales and the cost to the Welsh NHS is £302million. Across Wales lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths – there were 1,891 deaths from lung cancer in 2017 and it accounted for over one in every five cancer deaths – more than bowel and breast cancer combined.