Heide’s Journey to Becoming Smokefree

“I grew up as an Army child, eventually settling in Brecon. I had my first cigarette at 15, smoking occasionally whilst doing my ‘A’ levels at boarding school. My smoking habit started properly in my first job at the age of 19. Looking back I think that was to fit in with the other two women working in the office and to be honest I liked it. I did enjoy smoking. I liked the “me time it gave me” and the sense of camaraderie I got from standing outside in the freezing cold or pouring rain with all the other socially excluded smokers.

On the flip side, I used to lie awake at night or wake up in a cold sweat fearing the future I was giving to my children by smoking. I kept thinking that if I was to get cancer, or lose a leg or get COPD or whatever, how on earth would I explain to my children – that it was my own fault that I was in that way. And, if I was to die, what would happen to my children? What sort of mother did that make me?”

The Struggle to Quit

I have tried a number of ways of giving up in the past. Sometimes being successful for a few days or few weeks or once a number of months. I have tried the gum, the patches, cold turkey, tablets, microtabs you name it, but always reverted back to smoking again. Anyhow, finally, I was fed up with the guilt and decided that I WAS going to stop and that I would become a non-smoker.

What Helped Me Quit?

I went to the GP and was prescribed “Champix”. They did make me feel very sick. I only managed to take them for a couple of weeks, but it did put me off smoking. A number of things helped me this time. I had a different mental attitude – I told myself that I was now a non-smoker. Also, after being so ill with the Champix and managing to give up, I had and have no desire to make it a waste of time by starting smoking again. Electronic cigarettes proved useful for the occasional nights out etc, or the times when I really could have given in. A puff or two and that was it. I also downloaded an app on my Smartphone called “Cessation Nation”. It gives you statistics on how much money you have saved, how long exactly since you gave up (April 28th for me, 144 days) and how you are doing in health benefits.

There are also a couple of games for you to play to distract you when you really fancy a cigarette. The app worked for me as I could actually see how much I was saving (£936.00 to date) and what the benefits to me were. I do still struggle sometimes, would still love to have a fag occasionally – but I’m not going to.

Advice for Others

My advice to anyone thinking of giving up is try it, try it again and keep trying – you will succeed.

Life as a non-smoker is not bad and not to be feared. It’s actually quite liberating not worrying if you have fags, or the money to buy them, remembering them when you leave the house, not running out of breath running up the stairs, smelling nice……..having money! Which reminds me, really is worth putting your cigarette money in a pot. Save it and spend it on you. Otherwise it just gets swallowed up in everyday housekeeping money and you don’t see the benefits directly. Good luck.”

Smoking in Cars with Children will be Illegal by October 2015

Historical article · 2015

Smoking in a private vehicle with someone under 18 present has been prohibited in Wales since 1 October 2015. For the current smoke-free rules and newer tobacco, vape and nicotine laws, see Smoking laws in Wales.

ASH Wales welcomes today’s Welsh Government announcement to prohibit smoking in cars with children in Wales, the ban will come into force from October 2015.

In Wales, 15% of children aged 10 and 11 (and 32% of children of smokers) are exposed to second-hand smoke in family cars. Legislation is likely to significantly reduce the levels of exposure; when seatbelt laws were introduced in 1983 compliance rates jumped from 25% to over 90%.

There is already widespread public support for smokefree cars when children are present. A poll conducted in March by YouGov for ASH Wales found that 79% of Welsh adults, including 66% of smokers, agreed that smoking should be prohibited in cars that are carrying children younger than 18 years of age.

“We are pleased to see the Welsh Government pressing ahead with regulations to prohibit smoking in cars when children are present. As with the smokefree public places law, this is a popular measure that will largely be self-enforcing.

“Together with the forthcoming regulations on standardised packaging these regulations will help to de-normalise smoking and discourage children from taking up the deadly habit.”

Elen de Lacy, Chief Executive of ASH Wales

Welsh Government Release: Smoking in cars carrying children to be banned in Wales from October, Health Minister announces

To find out more about smokefree cars, visit our topic page here.

ASH Wales Cymru welcomes ban on smoking in prisons

ASH Wales Cymru has welcomed the Welsh Government’s consultation on smoking in prisons and supports the plan to make all prison cells smokefree by April 2017.

The Welsh Government is consulting on a temporary exemption to the smoking ban for 12 months in order for prisons to implement smokefree cells by April 2017.

Smokefree legislation, introduced in 2007, was designed to protect people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. The prison service should now take urgent steps to support staff and inmates with stop smoking advice, support and nicotine replacement therapies.

We welcome the Welsh Government showing leadership and cracking down on smoking in prisons. With an estimated 80% of the prison population smoking it is important that prisons are given the time to properly implement smokefree policies.

Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) Wales Cymru

ASH Wales Cymru works with businesses and health professionals to train staff in smoking cessation and supports them to develop smokefree policies.

ASH Wales Cymru welcomes the tobacco retail register featured in the Public Health Bill

Elen de Lacy, Chief Executive of ASH Wales Cymru said:

“In Wales, over 5000 people die from smoking-related illnesses every year and a classroom of children take up smoking every day. We are pleased that the Public Health Bill includes a proposal for a register for anyone selling tobacco. This is an important step forward to tackle underage sales and sales of illegal tobacco.”

“We are disappointed however that the Bill does not include a ban on smoking in hospital grounds. We feel that this is a missed opportunity to help local health boards to combat this problem.”

“Banning the use of electronic cigarettes in public places should be an evidence-based decision. We urge Assembly Members and Ministers looking at this proposal to call on experts and academics to present the latest research. E-cigarettes are relatively new and more work is urgently needed to fully understand their long term effects on health.”

“Tackling smoking is the biggest public health concern we face in Wales, particularly among young people, this should continue to be the top priority for politicians.”

ASH Wales Cymru welcomes extensive research by Public Health England on the safety of electronic cigarettes

A review of the evidence published by Public Health England (PHE) shows that electronic cigarettes offer a much safer alternative to smoking and more should be done to encourage smokers to switch. In light of this review PHE have, for the first time, published their advice on an appropriate approach to electronic cigarettes for the UK Government, local authorities and the NHS in England.

“This report from Public Health England is exactly the sort of research we have been calling for on e-cigarettes and their safety. We hope that this research will reassure health professionals, the media, and the public, particularly smokers, that the evidence is clear: electronic cigarettes are much less harmful than smoking.”

“It is encouraging to see from the report that there is no evidence yet to suggest that e-cigarettes have ‘renormalised’ smoking or led people to take up smoking.”

“Making contact with local stop smoking services remains the best way of quitting successfully and services should actively engage with smokers who want to quit using an e-cigarette.

“From the research in England it is clear that e-cigarettes are the number one quitting aid used by smokers and therefore we need clear evidence-based guidance here in Wales.”

Elen de Lacy, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health Wales Cymru
The popularity of electronic cigarettes has grown enormously since they first came on the market but still nearly half the population don’t realise e-cigarettes are safer than smoking. PHE have recommended that health professionals and others should seek to address misunderstandings among the public and provide accurate information to smokers.

ASH Wales Cymru welcomes ban on smoking in cars carrying children

ASH Wales Cymru has welcomed the successful vote today in the National Assembly for Wales, banning people from smoking in cars when children are present.

There is widespread public support for a ban on smoking in cars with children – 4 out of 5 Welsh adults (87%) back legislation, according to a YouGov survey for ASH Wales (2015).

Elen de Lacy, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) Wales, said:

“Ending smoking in cars with children present is a welcome move by the Welsh Government.

“Children do not have a choice when adults are smoking around them and therefore ASH Wales Cymru would urge the government to ensure this ban is enforced as soon as possible.

“Concentrations of smoke inside a car can reach dangerous levels very quickly and exposure to second-hand smoke is a substantial threat to children’s health. This ban is popular with the public and we look forward to the government bringing it into force without further delay.”