Top 10 Reasons to Pack it in on No Smoking Day

ASH Wales is celebrating No Smoking Day (Wednesday 9th March) by highlighting a top 10 list of financial incentives to encourage smokers to quit on the Day.

The health benefits of quitting smoking are well known but many people do not realise the financial benefits including cheaper life insurance and home insurance premiums. With householders finding many insurance and utility bills on the increase quitting smoking is one way for smokers to save some much needed cash.

The top 10 financial reasons for taking that first step to quitting are:

1. Smokers pay almost double the premiums of non smokers for life insurance

Life insurance premiums can cost smokers up to twice as much as non smokers according to comparison website Confused.com.

A 41 year old male smoker would pay £49.09 a month compared to £25.05 for a non smoking male for £250,000 of cover over a 25 year term. This equates to a saving of over £7000 over the full term of the policy for non smokers.

Insurance companies will regard you as a smoker if you have used any tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars or nicotine replacement products within the past 12 months. So if smokers are thinking of quitting, or have already done so, they need to remember to contact their insurance provider once they’ve been smokefree for 12 months.

2. Want to avoid those visits to the dentist?

Although not everyone wants a Hollywood smile as bright as Simon Cowell’s most people appreciate the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. Smoking can cause gum disease, stained teeth and bad breath so if you want to keep your visits to the dentist to a minimum now is the time of quit.

Stuart Geddes, Director, British Dental Association Wales, offers this advice: “The link between smoking and poor oral health is proven. Apart from the discolouration of teeth by staining there is a dramatic increase in the severity of gum problems. So, anyone who is, for example worried about the appearance of their teeth and is considering cosmetic dentistry, should consider if it might be a good idea to stop smoking so that the dentistry that they are about to embark on will be worthwhile, and more than a temporary improvement to their appearance!”

3. Save cash on beauty treatments

We all have to face the ageing process eventually but if you give up smoking you may be able to delay it for longer and save yourself money on anti-ageing beauty products and treatments.

Smoking reduces the production of collagen to the skin which is essential to keep skin supple and elastic resulting in premature ageing, facial wrinkles and hollow cheeks. So spending money on an expensive beauty regime whilst continuing to smoke will be pointless. Smoking has also been linked to acne. Research in the British Journal of Dermatology(1) found that 42% of smokers had acne compared to only one in ten non-smokers. Furthermore, smokers who had suffered acne in their teens were found to be four times more likely to suffer acne as an adult than non-smokers who also had experienced teenage acne.

4. House on the market?

Being a smoker can affect the value and saleability of your house particularly if your prospective purchasers are one of the 76% of Welsh non smokers so now is the best time to quit if you want to get the optimum asking price for your property.

5. Home Insurance

Being a smoker could also increase your home insurance premiums as insurance providers have to weigh up the likelihood of a customer making a claim and then price the policy appropriately.

The average cost of a domestic fire is estimated at £24,900(2) and most smoking related domestic fires are caused by carelessly discarding lit cigarettes, not extinguishing cigarettes properly and/or smoking in bed. Fires started by cigarettes kill more people than any other kind of domestic fire.

In Wales, a 2008(3) survey found that 10% of smokers admitted to falling asleep whilst smoking and 36% of smokers admitted to having smoked in bed. Both activities place smokers at much higher risk of fires in their homes. Additionally, UK research into domestic fire safety has consistently demonstrated that smokers are far less likely to own working smoke detectors((4).

6. Selling your second-hand car?

Buying a car is one of the biggest purchasing decisions that many people make after house purchases and many motorists appreciate the „new car smell‟ which smoking can mask. As well as lingering smells which can last for weeks, burns and stains to upholstery can also affect the car value.

Ian MacDonald, E-Marketing Manager at Trader Media Group offers this advice to motorists wanting to sell their second-hand car: “Time after time our millions of users state that the smell inside a car is a primary deciding factor in the buying decision. To wilfully create a lasting smell of smoke in one’s car is to implicitly reduce its value by restricting the potential buying audience to only fellow smokers!”

7. Going smokefree will save you money on vet bills

Many people are aware that second-hand smoke is harmful to their health but not many people are aware of the adverse health effects for their beloved pets which could mean unexpected bills if their pet develops a serious illness.

Living with a smoker increases the risk of pets developing cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems such as asthma because there are over 60 known cancer causing substances found in second-hand smoke that will be inhaled by your pet if you smoke in your home.

British Veterinary Association President Harvey Locke comments: “Household pets can become very ill because their owners smoke in the home. There is evidence that passive smoking in dogs causes chronic bronchitis and can aggravate feline asthma in cats.

“Animals don‟t have a say about where they live. We would urge the public to think about the effect smoking is having on their pets and not to expose animals to second-hand smoke or to any smoking products.”

8. Save on the cost of cigarettes

Quitting smoking can save you a ‘packet’ as well. With the average cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes costing £6.63, a smoker with a 20-a-day addiction could save £46.41 a week, or £2413.32 a year. This could buy you a family holiday to the Algarve with plenty of money left over.

9. Private Health Insurance

Quitting smoking is also a good reason if you have private health insurance. Although the premiums for health insurance can vary and depend on a number of factors health insurance has been estimated at around 65%(5) more expensive than for non smokers.

Most insurers won’t consider you to be a non smoker until you have been smokefree for 12 months or longer but this is a good reason to quit this year and when you’ve reached the anniversary of your quit date shop around for a competitive deal as a non smoker.

10. Planning for your retirement?

Long-term smoking can cause significant damage to your health and may affect your ability to work. With tobacco use killing over 5,000 people in Wales every year and many more suffering poor health and disability smokers face a significantly higher chance of early retirement due to poor health.

Taking that first step to quitting smoking will not only benefit you financially with less time taken off work for GP appointments but will have an impact on NHS resources with smoking costing the NHS in Wales over £386 million every year.(6)

Notes

(1) Capitanio B et al, (2007) British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 157, Issue 5, pages 1070-1071.
(2) Communities and Local Government (2006) The Economic Cost of Fire: Estimates for 2004.
(2) Total sample size was 1,173 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20th – 25th February 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Welsh adults (aged 18+).
(4) Put It Out, Put it Right Out , 2007, Welsh Assembly Government.
(5) Article by Insurance Health.
(6) Phillips and Bloodworth 2009, Cost of smoking to the NHS in Wales.

ASH Wales Welcomes New Plan to Tackle Tobacco Use

Public health charity ASH Wales has welcomed the publication today of a Draft Tobacco Control Action Plan for Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government. The Action Plan contains proposals to reduce adult smoking prevalence rates from 24% to 16% by 2020.

Commenting on the release of the Action Plan ASH Wales Chief Executive Tanya Buchanan said: “We are delighted that the Action Plan has finally been published and that all parties will now be able to comment on the proposals. I urge all those interested in protecting and improving the health of Welsh people and future generations to respond to the consultation. This is an historic day for public health in Wales and the best news since the smoking ban was introduced in 2007. The Action Plan is the first such strategic plan for Wales which aims to systematically address smoking prevalence rates which have stagnated at 24%, and ensure our young people are protected from second-hand smoke.

“Of equal importance is the need to provide assistance to smokers who want to quit and we welcome the news that consideration is being given to developing online services for smokers and training for health professionals.

“It is unfortunate that the Welsh Assembly Government has not been bolder and agreed to implement the measures to protect children from tobacco advertising and marketing by banning shop displays of tobacco and the sale of tobacco from vending machines. Wales has its own powers to introduce these measures and it must be bold and get on with it.”

ASH Wales is a member of the Wales Tobacco Control Alliance, an alliance of 30 voluntary sector and professional bodies in Wales, and Alliance partners have also welcomed the publication of the Draft Action Plan:

Delyth Lloyd, Press and Public Affairs Manager, British Heart Foundation Cymru: “Smoking is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Smokers are twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack as people who have never smoked. British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru welcome the announcement of a Tobacco Control Plan by the Welsh Assembly Government. We hope this strategy will provide the broad vision in Wales that is necessary to address the heavy health inequalities and health consequences caused by smoking, smuggling and the continuing problems of exposure to second hand smoke in Wales.”

Jean King, Cancer Research UK’s Director of Tobacco Control: “The publication of a comprehensive tobacco control action plan is very welcome. The terrible death and suffering caused by tobacco demands that the plan needs to be implemented as ambitiously as possible. Communications campaigns to support people to quit, leadership at local level and Welsh Assembly Government support for price increases, removal of tobacco displays and plain packaging of tobacco are especially important.”

Chris Mulholland, Head, British Lung Foundation Wales: “Reducing exposure to second-hand smoke is especially important to protect children’s lung health. In a car, smoking just one cigarette, even with the window open, creates a greater concentration of second-hand smoke than a whole evening’s smoking in a pub or a bar. Worse still, children’s lungs are more vulnerable to damage than an adult’s, as their immune system is not fully developed. Protecting our children must be top priority. They should not be forced to smoke.”

Notes

The consultation on the tobacco control action plan can be viewed on the Welsh Government website.

ASH Wales Launches New Initiative to Tackle Ill Health in Wales

ASH Wales, the charity that protects children from becoming addicted lifelong smokers, has today launched an exciting new initiative to bring together health professionals, academics, community and business leaders, as well as national and local government officials, from all over Wales to find creative solutions to Wales’s growing public health problems.

Launching the Wales Tobacco or Health Network (WTHN), at its inaugural event being held in Cardiff, Chief Executive Tanya Buchanan commented: “We need creative solutions to tackle our health problems in Wales. Not enough attention is given to preventing disease, instead we spend vast sums of money year after year treating disease rather than concentrating resources on preventing ill health in the first place.

“Smoking kills over 5,500 people every year in Wales and all of these deaths can be prevented. We know that health risk behaviours are interlinked and to effectively improve the health of Welsh people we need to address smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity and poor diet holistically. This new Network will ensure we don’t work in isolation and will improve partnership working between business, government bodies and the voluntary sector.”

Delegates will hear from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, who is supporting the Network: “I am delighted to support the launch of the Wales Tobacco or Health Network by ASH Wales. This is an exciting initiative that is highly important to public health in Wales. Tobacco use claims 5650 lives each year in Wales and costs the NHS more than £1 million a day in treatment costs. Addressing the enormous human and financial burden caused by tobacco requires a concerted effort.

“The Wales Tobacco or Health Network is a good example of where individuals can make a real difference. The current smoking prevalence rates in Wales have remained at 24% for the last three years. The new Network has a vital role to play in developing our capacity to effectively address tobacco use in Wales in order to drive down our unacceptably high rates of smoking.”

The WTHN will also be supported by the Excellence in Tobacco Control Awards for Wales which will recognise the good work already being undertaken in tobacco control and cessation activities.

Delegates will hear about the success of Ireland’s implementation of the behind the counter tobacco display ban, trends in adolescent smoking in Wales, evidence for protecting children from smoking in cars, and discuss the implications of the Welsh referendum.

Notes

All individuals interested in tobacco control in Wales are invited to join the Wales Tobacco or Health Network. Click here for more information.

Is quitting smoking the secret to a happier life?

For Immediate Release

Is quitting smoking the secret to a happier life?

As the New Year approaches and people are feeling the economic pinch what better time is there to give yourself a great new start to 2011 by quitting smoking? Not only will your wallet feel the benefit you will also be giving your health the best boost of all.

New research from scientists in America(1) found a clear link between quitting smoking and an enhanced mood. The scientists measured smoker’s moods during their first 6 months of quit attempts and found that those who were successful in quitting were the happiest whilst those who gave up their quit attempt were the unhappiest of all the groups studied.

The researchers from Brown University and the University of Southern California tested 236 male and female smokers who wanted to give up smoking for symptoms of depression at different stages over a 28-week period.

Tanya Buchanan, Chief Executive of ASH Wales, said: “This new research suggests that giving up smoking actually relieves symptoms of depression and pours cold water on the claim that smoking eases anxiety and depression. We already know that quitting smoking results in significant health benefits but this study suggests there are also mental health benefits as well.

“There has never been a better time to quit smoking. Smoking kills around 5650 people in Wales every year and it is the single most preventable cause of premature death. Smoking is an addiction and I know how hard it can be for some people to give up but there is help and support available from Stop Smoking Wales so you don’t have to go it alone.”

Data Sources

(1) Kahler, C.W., Spillane, N.S., Busch, A.M., & Leventhal, A.M., 2010, Time-Varying Smoking Abstinence Predicts Lower Depressive Symptoms Following Smoking Cessation Treatment, Oxford Journal.

ASH Wales Welcomes News on Plain Packs

For Immediate Release

ASH Wales, Wales’s leading public health charity campaigning against the harm caused by tobacco, has welcomed news that the Westminster government is considering introducing plain packaging for cigarettes but warns that it must press ahead with a ban on behind the counter displays of tobacco as soon as possible.

UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley made the comments ahead of the publication of the Government’s White Paper on Public Health.

Tanya Buchanan, Chief Executive of ASH Wales, commented: “We welcome the news that the Government is seriously considering the case for plain packs. However, we are stilling awaiting news of the Government’s review of the ban on behind the counter sales of tobacco. Recent research from the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies has shown that a ban on behind the counter displays of tobacco will have little impact on retailers and is effective in reducing the attraction of smoking amongst teenagers. If the Government is serious about reducing the attractiveness of smoking to young people then it is imperative that they press ahead with the display ban without delay.”

ASH Wales and RNID Cymru concerned about second-hand smoke linked to hearing loss

For Immediate Release

ASH Wales and RNID Cymru have united to draw attention to the link between smoking and hearing problems in the light of two new studies released earlier this month.

New research studies from America and Belgium revealed a link between smoking (active and passive) and permanent hearing damage as a result of smoking disrupting the flow of blood to the ear.

The link with smoking and ear damage has been increasingly evidenced and documented over the years but there has been limited information about any causal link with passive smoking.

Tanya Buchanan, Chief Executive of the public health charity ASH Wales, said: “These new studies will further add to the growing body of evidence about the adverse health effects of smoking, both active and passive. The Royal College of Physicians report into passive smoking and children earlier this year found that passive smoking in the home is a major health hazard to children and causes 120,000 cases of middle ear disease in children each year as well as a range of other disorders.

“Most people know that smoking gives you serious illnesses like cancer, heart and respiratory disorders but I don’t think many members of the public are aware of the consequences on their hearing or that their smoking affects others, particularly children. That is why we want to raise awareness of these issues so that the public have the best information available to them.

“We do need to do more to protect children and young people from secondhand smoke and reducing smoking rates amongst all groups will help reduce their exposure. But we also need to address smoking in the home and in cars in which children are present. ASH Wales ran a programme to promote the benefits of smokefree homes in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan but we need to see this rolled out across Wales. We also need to have a sensible debate about the dangers of secondhand smoke to children in cars.”

“Doctors already know that people who smoke regularly can damage their hearing”, said Richard Williams, Director of RNID Cymru – the charity taking action on hearing loss.

“Now, this report has found that there is an increased risk of people losing their hearing if they are exposed to passive smoking too. I just can’t see why people would expose others – their friends and loved ones – to the possibility of hearing loss, which we know causes social isolation, depression and frustration”, he added.