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.”
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.”
Young cricketers will kick off a new campaign called #ShareTheAir by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales later today to make more public spaces in Wales smokefree.
Building on its successful Smokefree Playgrounds campaign in 2013, ASH Wales will launch #ShareTheAir across Wales later today urging people not to light up in other public areas such as sports grounds, playing fields, beaches and outside schools.
The Swalec stadium in Cardiff which is home to the Glamorgan Cricket team already has a smokefree policy covering most of the stadium but is asking spectators to think twice before lighting up anywhere within its grounds.
The #ShareTheAir campaign forms part of ASH Wales vision for a smokefree generation in which children born today will not be exposed to second-hand smoke and will have the confidence to say no to smoking themselves.
[/vc_column_text][mk_blockquote font_family=”none”]“As part of our #SharetheAir campaign we will be working with councils, businesses and schools to promote smokefree areas across Wales. We will be encouraging people to think twice before lighting up around children or in public places for the benefit of everyone. We’ll also be working with local councils to encourage them to sign up to a ‘Smokefree Charter’ which places a smokefree ethos at the heart of any planning of future public areas.
“Sports grounds, playing fields and beaches are family-friendly areas which should be free from second-hand smoke and cigarette litter. We hope that members of the public will promote smokefree environments and help bring about a change of attitudes towards smoking, especially around children in family environments.”
In April this year, Anglesey council implemented a smokefree village at Llanfairpwll where a voluntary ban was put into place. The smokefree sign designed by Morgan Jones, from Ysgol Dwyran, was placed outside entrances and exits of pubs, shops, playgrounds and other community facilities.[/vc_column_text][mk_blockquote font_family=”none”]“There has been a great deal of support amongst residents and businesses, with the local community council also playing a prominent role in efforts to extend the current smokefree playgrounds scheme throughout the whole village.”
“The scheme won’t be policed, but we’re hoping that the local community will encourage visitors and residents not to smoke in designated public areas. Businesses and tourism establishments, especially catering outlets, should also benefit as Llanfairpwll becomes smokefree.”
With 367 votes in favour and only 113 against, the regulations have been approved by Parliament. Following this, there will be a final debate in the House of Lords on Monday, after which it is expected the regulations will be implemented in May 2016.
“This move will prevent cigarettes being sold in attractive packaging, and help to protect the next generation of children and young people. Stopping children from taking up smoking is crucial – two thirds of current smokers started as children, and one in two long-term smokers will die from a smoking-related disease.”
“ASH Wales Cymru’s youth project, The Filter, works with young people all over Wales to give them the facts and filter out the myths about smoking. The project aims to educate and empower, never to rebuke or lecture. Plain packaging is another supportive move to protect our young people in Wales from the tobacco industry’s marketing techniques and another step towards a smokefree generation in Wales.”
Public health experts have given a warm welcome to the UK government’s announcement that it is moving forward with plans to ban branding on cigarette packs. Regulations on the standardised ‘plain’ packaging of cigarettes and other tobacco products are to be brought to a vote in Parliament before the General Election in May.
This move will prevent cigarettes being sold in attractive packaging, and help to protect the next generation of children and young people from starting to smoke. Two thirds of current smokers started as children, and one in two long-term smokers will die from smoking-related disease.
In Australia – the first country to introduce standardised tobacco packaging – total consumption of cigarettes and tobacco in the first quarter of 2014 was the lowest ever, and the Australian ‘National Drug Strategy Household Survey’ for 2013/14 showed that the proportion of daily smokers aged 14 years or older in Australia fell from 16.6% in 2007 to 12.8% in 2013. Despite this, the tobacco industry has been lobbying the UK Government with misleading claims about the effects of standard packs.
“Every day a classroom full of children take up smoking in Wales. We are delighted that the UK government has resisted pressure from the tobacco industry and now plans to pass regulations on standardised ‘plain’ packaging in this parliament. Standard packs have the backing of public health professionals, decision makers and two thirds of the Welsh public. It’s time to take away the last form of tobacco advertising to our children and look towards a smokefree generation.”
ASH Wales welcomes the report released today by the London Health Commission recommending that open spaces in London, including parks and public squares, should become smokefree. The organisation is now calling for the same in Wales.
In 2013 ASH Wales led the way with its successful Smokefree Playgrounds campaign which saw all 22 local authorities in Wales committing to make children’s playgrounds smokefree. Earlier this year the organisation launched a new smokefree spaces campaign, #SharetheAir, which aims to make spaces where young people meet, play and exercise smokefree across Wales.
Elen de Lacy, Chief Executive of ASH Wales, said, “We are pleased to see authorities in London committed to smokefree spaces. Wales should be leading the way and expanding on the successful smokefree playgrounds initiative to include other spaces used by young people. There is overwhelming public support for smokefree spaces in Wales, with nearly three quarters of Welsh adults in support of smokefree children’s play areas. The time is now to make our outdoor leisure spaces smokefree.”
Research shows that second-hand smoke exposure is damaging to long-term health, particularly in children whose lungs are smaller and therefore take in more smoke relative to their size. Young people watch adults smoking in parks and outdoor spaces and see this as a normal activity. Smoking is actually a deadly, addictive habit so it is important to denormalise smoking and make sure today’s children do not become tomorrow’s long-term smokers.
ASH Wales is calling on all local authorities in Wales to act now and implement smokefree spaces across Wales.
