Vaping and the cost of living

Amid the inflation and economic instability, many have been finding it hard to afford their regular expenses. According to the British Standards Association, about 36% of people are relying on savings to get through the current financial crisis, while 13% of people have no savings whatsoever.

The cost of living crisis highlights how ditching cigarettes for vaping could actually:

  • Reduce the financial pressures of the current climate.
  • Reduce the harms of tobacco on health

In this blog we will explore the financial and health implications of making the switch.

Cost of Cigarettes vs Vapes

As inflation soars, cigarettes can be seen as a significant financial drain. Estimates from Wales’ NHS stop smoking service show that a 20-a-day smoker can spend over £277 a month on cigarettes. To put this into perspective, average energy bills are estimated to rise by approximately £693 a year in Wales, which means that money spent on tobacco could help soften the blow of the upcoming surge.

In 2018, researchers from the University College London found that switching from tobacco to vaping led to savings in the region of £800 a year. To break this down, a standard 10 ml bottle of e-liquid can sit in the region of 3 to 5 pounds, depending on brand and nicotine strength used. In contrast,  a standard packet of 20 cigarettes currently sits in the region of 12 pounds. Based off this simple breakdown, if a single bottle of e-liquid were used a week, this would fall far below the cost of a single packet of 20 cigarettes.

How do E-Cigarettes actually work?

E-Cigarettes (also known as vapes) are battery-powered devices that heat liquid containing nicotine. Users inhale the vapor produced by liquids when they are heated. The devices can be seen as a less damaging smoking alternative that can satisfy nicotine cravings.

E-liquids are available in a variety of flavours and strengths, which in turn gives users control over how much nicotine they consume.

Health

By switching to vaping, current research marks that tobacco users will be less exposed to harmful chemicals that cause: cancer, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease.

In Wales, tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and is estimated to take the lives of approximately 5,000 people each year. Research indicates that while vaping is not risk-free, it is significantly less harmful than smoking.

Researchers at King’s College London recently conducted a study which concluded that: in the short to medium-term, the risks of vaping carries a ‘fraction’ of the risks of smoking. The research reviewed over 400 international studies, and has been marked as the largest of its kind.

The study highlights that:

  • The levels of exposure to cancer-causing (substances) and other toxicants are drastically lower in people who vape compared with those who smoke.
  • While not completely risk-free,  vaping is ‘substantially’  less harmful than smoking in the short and medium term.

Case Study

Many UK health boards have taken a proactive approach to those keen to switch to less harmful alternatives.

One such health board is Hywel Dda, who have recently taken practical steps to offer advice and support to patients within mental health services. Mental health units in Wales have recently become smoke-free, in line with smoke-free hospital grounds across the country. The new legislation means that many patients enquire about alternative nicotine delivery methods, such as vaping.

To compliment support, the health board has recently signposted to a particular vaping company to mental health patients seeking to make the switch. These steps have been taken to provide practical support to smokers, in a bid to facilitate less harmful tobacco alternatives.

Cath Einon, Smoking & Wellbeing Team at Hywel Dda University Health Board states:

  • “We have always been a Vape friendly service as our specialists are passionate about reducing the harm caused by tobacco. Use of safer forms of nicotine has long been part of the treatment we give and, over the years, we have found that vapes have become a popular alternative to the licensed pharmacotherapy that we traditionally gave access to.”
  • “Our staff receive regular training on vaping and our conversations with users keep us on top of trends.”
  • “It is important that services with knowledge of nicotine addiction are able to support users whatever form this nicotine takes, and our main aim is reducing the harm caused by tobacco use and support our local population to live healthier lives.”
  • “We also offer licensed nicotine products to assist vape users to come off the vapes using behavioural support and relapse prevention skills.”

Along with behavioural support and assistance from the hospital, patients work towards reducing the amount of nicotine they are using until they can stop vaping altogether.

Summary

In terms of health, current research indicates that switching to  e-cigarettes can significantly reduce the harms of smoking. Based off the economic costs of smoking, there is also strong potential for e-cigarettes to offer more affordable alternative to tobacco. In light of this, vaping can offer a less-harmful and affordable alternative to smoking in Wales.

References

ASH Cymru Kickstarts Stop Smoking Campaign: StopiOctober

  • People are five times more likely to quit for good if they can make it to at least 28 days smoke free.
  • Research has shown that the health benefits from quitting can begin in as little as 24 hrs.
  • In Wales, smoking is estimated to take the lives of approximately 5,000 people each year.
  • Stopping smoking significantly improves health, wellbeing and overall life expectancy.

 

A stop smoking campaign has been launched to encourage smokers to try quitting in Wales. The StopiOctober campaign has been spearheaded by the tobacco control organisation ASH Cymru, and has been created to mirror similar health drives in England.

Each year the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) launches Stoptober, a campaign which encourages thousands of smokers to try quitting in October. The campaign has been running in England since 2012, and has garnered considerable recognition from countries across the UK. In light of this, ASH Cymru have developed a similar drive to signpost stop smoking support available in Wales.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable ill health in Wales, and is estimated to take the lives of over 5,000 people each year. The new campaign seeks to encourage Welsh smokers to take action this October, and receive the benefits of becoming smoke-free.

Through a nation-wide push the campaign voices three key messages. These messages include:

  • You are 5 times more likely to quit smoking for good if you make it to at least 28 days smoke-free.
  • Quitting can be challenging, bit it is not impossible: success can significantly increase with specialist support.
  • Join countless UK smokers in becoming smoke-free this October, by taking the 28-day quit challenge.

To compliment the campaign, ASH Cymru are sign-posting Welsh smokers to the national stop smoking service, ‘Help Me Quit’. The free service offers a range of specialist support, advice, and medication. Research has shown that with specialist support the odds of quitting smoking increases more than threefold.

The health benefits of stopping smoking are immediate, as in as little as 8 hours a smoker’s carbon monoxide levels can halve. After 24 hours of quitting, carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body and lungs begin to clear mucus and smoking debris. Within just a year of quitting, the risk of a heart attack is halved compared to the risk of a current smoker. Furthermore, after ten years the risk of developing lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.

Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Cymru, marked the importance of Welsh health campaign’s that support Welsh smokers. She said:

“StopiOctober is a steadfast nod to the successful Stoptober campaign run by our English neighbours, which is instantly recognisable across the UK’.

‘Our campaign mirrors the spirit of Stoptober, but highlights the brilliant help and support available here in Wales.

‘My advice to all Welsh smokers is this: you are not alone, and this month is a brilliant incentive to join others across the UK in becoming smoke-free’.

Beyond October, the campaign encourages smokers to continue their quit journey past the 28-day mark and quit for good.

The campaign mirrors wider government efforts to reduce the harms of smoking in Wales. This year, the Welsh Government unveiled plans to achieve a smoke-free Wales by 2030, which will mean lowering the current smoking rate from 13% to 5% by the end of the decade.

If you are interested in stopping smoking this October, free advice and support can be easily accessed through the website: www.helpmequit.wales. Furthermore, the service can be accessed via freephone on: 0800 085 2219.

For more on the StopiOctober Campaign, click here.

References & Links

  • Benefits of stopping smoking can be found on the ‘Help Me Quit’ website, found here.
  • Benefits of stopping smoking can be also be found on the WHO website, here.
  • Information on the English annual Stoptober campaign, found here.
  • The latest Nation Survey for Wales marks a 13% smoking prevalence in the Welsh adult population, found here.
  • The Welsh Government’s long term tobacco control strategy, ‘A Smoke-Free Wales’, is found here.

Public backs plans for a ‘smoke-free’ Wales

New figures released today show the majority of Welsh adults support plans for Wales to become smoke-free. The figures come just weeks after Welsh Government unveiled its plans to reduce the number of adult smokers in Wales to 5% or less by 2030.

The annual YouGov survey run by the tobacco control charity ASH Cymru gathers the opinions of over 1,000 adults in Wales and examines how society views smoking in terms of behaviour, attitudes and government action.

The new figures reveal the majority of Welsh adults (68%) support Welsh Government in setting a target to end smoking in Wales, by reducing smoking rates to 5% by 2030. In contrast, only 10% of Welsh adults opposed this move.

Internationally a 5% smoking rate is viewed as the threshold that grants a country the status of ‘smoke-free’. The Welsh Government has launched a new strategy to reach this status, which will mean reducing smoking rates from 13% (2022) to 5% by the end of the decade. The strategy has been launched to help combat the harms of smoking, which is estimated to claim over 5,000 Welsh lives each year.

In terms of public opinion in Wales, the newly released survey also shows strong support for a range of existing and new tobacco control measures, with support increasing around policies that protect children.

The latest figures mark that an overwhelming majority (89%) of Welsh adults support smoking bans in children’s play areas, up from 83% in 2017. In 2021, Wales became the first country in the UK to legislate for bans on smoking at playgrounds and school grounds.

Furthermore, the majority of Welsh adults (83%) were in support of requiring businesses to have a valid licence to sell tobacco, which can be removed if they sell to underage smokers more than once. Only 4% of Welsh adults opposed this move.

In other areas of regulation, 61% of Welsh adults support raising the age of sale for cigarettes from 18 to 21. Majority support for this area has not dropped below 60% in the last three years.

The new figures also map evolving perceptions of smoking in Wales, and mark how society has changed its views on smoking prevalence. This year, only 48% of Welsh adults thought that smoking was a common practice, a steep decline from 67% in 2016.

Other areas of the Welsh smoking landscape were examined in the survey, which in turn marked strong support for the following:

  • 84% support the banning of cigarette butts that contain plastic, to help protect the environment.
  • 67% support increasing investment in public education campaigns on smoking.
  • 71% believe that all Government health policy should be protected from the influence of the tobacco industry.

Most poignantly, the survey gauges public approval of tobacco use in Wales, as this year’s survey asked respondents whether they thought people in general approved or disapproved of smoking. The majority of Welsh adults (62%) thought that people disapproved. In contrast, only 6% believed people approved.

The newly released results have been hailed as progressive by the tobacco control charity ASH Cymru, who have urged the Welsh Government to take the results into account within its efforts to address smoking. Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Cymru, said:

“The Welsh Government has recently published a bold tobacco control strategy that seeks to significantly reduce the death and disability caused by smoking in Wales.

‘Today’s survey shows strong majority support for many of the actions relayed in the Government’s new strategy, but most importantly, the survey highlights which actions matter most to our society.

‘There is solid support for actions that protect children, the environment, and improving education around smoking in Wales. I urge Welsh Government to approach these areas with renewed vigour in light of strong public support.”

If you are interesting in finding out more about smoking’s impact on Wales, or need support to stop smoking, please visit: ash.wales

ENDS

Notes and References

  • The ASH Cymru 2022 YouGov survey can be found here.
  • Public support for the 5% target by 2030 has remained high, with support hovering at 70% over the last three years (since the question was included in the survey).
  • The Welsh Government’s new Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales can be found here.
  • Outline of the new Tobacco Control Strategy (with info on raising the age of sale), can be found here.
  • The National Survey for Wales marks a 13% smoking rate in the Welsh adult population in 2022, found here.
  • Estimate which places annual deaths caused by smoking in Wales at over 5,000, found here and

 

Information on the Survey

 

To understand public opinion in Wales relating to tobacco control ASH Wales Cymru conducts an annual opinion poll in conjunction with YouGov. The 2022 survey was undertaken between 16th  February and 21st March 2022. The survey questions were asked of a representative sample of 1,100 adults (aged 18+) in Wales and was conducted online. The survey is part of a wider Smokefree GB survey, commissioned by ASH (UK). ASH Wales Cymru commissions the Welsh dataset.

Welsh Government Unveils Smoke-free Wales Roadmap

  • Welsh Government launches a new tobacco control strategy, which sets the pathway for a smoke-free Wales (less than 5% of the adult population smoking) by 2030.
  • The new Endgame strategy aims to significantly reduce the harms of smoking in Wales.
  • Smoking still kills over 5,000 Welsh adults every year.
  • The ambitious strategy strives to end the tobacco epidemic
  • Smoking is one of the main causes of health inequalities in Wales, with harm concentrated in disadvantaged communities and groups.

Welsh Government has launched an ambitious new tobacco control strategy for Wales, which seeks to secure a smoke-free society, less than 5% of the adult population smoking, by 2030.  The strategy lays out firm actions and polices with the aim of finally ending the tobacco epidemic in Wales.

The smoking addiction has gripped the nation for over 100 years, and despite the known risks, still kills 5,600 people in Wales every year. Smoking is the leading cause of premature death and preventable ill-health in the country and is estimated to cost the Welsh NHS £302 million each year.

The National Survey for Wales currently places adult smoking prevalence in Wales at 13%. While this figure slowly declines, reaching 5% by 2030 will require a significant upturn in actions and commitment. Modelling by Cancer Research UK in 2020 indicates, if the current pace of actions continue, Wales will not reach a smoke-free future until 2037.

Wales’s leading tobacco control action group ASH Wales says the nation is firmly behind the new strategy which provides a solid blueprint for achieving a smoke-free society.  Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales, said:

‘’Public support for an Endgame target is overwhelming, 73% of Welsh adults want Wales to become smoke-free. Welsh Governments’ commitment to this target is welcome, however, this bold strategy is going to need bold and decisive action to hit that 5% target by 2030.”

The publication of the new strategy has been eagerly awaited by other health charities across Wales. Katie Till, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Wales, said:

“Smoking remains the biggest preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for around 3,100 cancer cases in Wales every year. Achieving a smoke-free Wales by 2030 would save lives. For Wales to hit this target, we need to see ambition in the way we support people to quit and prevent people from starting.

“Smoking is also the single biggest driver of inequalities in life expectancy in the UK. It’s critical the plan addresses this, so fewer people are affected by the harms of smoking in the future.”

Nearly 140 years have passed since the first UK manufactured cigarettes entered the market. Since then, sales soared in the first half of the twentieth century and brought with it what health organisations coined as the ‘global tobacco epidemic’. This epidemic has waged for decades, and currently claims the lives of 8 million people globally each year.

A recent review of tobacco control commissioned by the UK’s former Health Secretary, Savid Javid, speculated that if cigarettes were to enter the British market today, they would simply be turned away and would not be legalised.

Despite decades of research, lobbying and national stop smoking campaigns, tobacco remains on the UK market, and remains the only legal consumer product that kills up to half its users when used as intended.

As the Welsh Government launches its new tobacco control strategy, it embarks on a road which carries the potential to end smoking’s hold on national health. Welsh Government has been bold with this task, which is reflected within its 5% Endgame target.

On a global scale, other countries have pledged similar ambitions in achieving a 5% smoking rate: including England, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, and Sweden. Internationally, 5% is often regarded as the benchmark in which the tobacco epidemic is considered unsustainable.

The Strategy

The new strategy will center on limiting smoking’s impact to health, children, finances and the environment. To achieve this the strategy will employ a series of delivery plans, which will focus on the following areas:

  • Smoke-Free environments
  • Continuous improvement and supporting innovation
  • Priority groups
  • Tackle illegal tobacco and the tobacco control legal framework
  • Working across the UK

Each area will hold equal importance and will be reviewed at the end of a two-year delivery period.

Smoke-free Environments – Welsh Government has led in this field, in 2021 Wales became the first UK nation to introduce smoke-free hospital grounds, school grounds and playgrounds.  Studies have shown smoke-free legislation reduces exposure to harmful second-hand smoke, as well as having an impact on changing attitudes towards smoking. The new strategy will consider how to expand and support existing smoke-free legislation.

Welsh surveys show majority support for smoke-free legislation, particularly around smoke-free spaces that protect children. A recent YouGov survey (2021) of Welsh adults conducted by ASH Cymru revealed:

  • 81% believe smoking should be banned in outdoor areas where children play sport.
  • 67% would support banning smoking in outdoor eating areas, of all restaurants, pubs and cafes.
  • 67% would support a ban on smoking in all cars, up from 63% in 2017.

Within this workstream, the Welsh Government has committed to supporting UK efforts in reducing the environmental harms of smoking. The global health community has been vocal on this front, as figures issued by the World Health Organisation estimate that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded each year, which in turn leach microplastics and toxins into the environment.

Continuous improvement and supporting innovation will also be a staple of the new strategy. Within this workstream Welsh Government committed to supporting and developing the national stop smoking service, ‘Help Me Quit’.

In Wales, the national stop smoking service provides support around 3% of current smokers every year.  The new strategy marks that despite progress, Wales is still creating a new generation of smokers, as 4% of 11-16 years are still currently smoking in Wales. In light of this, the strategy outlines plans to enhance prevention, cessation and the use of innovation.

The strategy also lays out a firm commitment to a systematic opt-out quit smoking programme for all patients admitted to hospital. Under the scheme all in-patients will be offered specialised stop smoking support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy. This national approach will once again put Wales ahead of other UK nations in the implementation of actions to support smokers to quit.

This workstream will also examine how e-cigarettes will fit within the modern health landscape of Wales. Currently, national surveys show e-cigarettes are the most popular stop smoking tools in Wales.

The current evidence indicates e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco, and can help people to quit smoking, when combined with behavioral support. Welsh Government has committed to exploring their role as possible tobacco quitting aid.

Supporting priority groups will be a key cornerstone of the new strategy. In Wales, higher smoking rates are reported within certain groups, for example adults from socio-economically deprived backgrounds, routine and manual workers, and some ethnic minority groups in Wales. In addition, latest data from SHRN indicates that children from less affluent homes are twice as likely to smoke than their more affluent counterparts.

Research has shown that higher rates of smoking increases the likelihood of groups experiencing poorer health outcomes, which in turn impacts life expectancy. Levelling out the health landscape in Wales will involve the strategy ensuring that all groups, regardless background, are given the right support to stop smoking in Wales. This area will address the national health disparities caused by smoking.

The new strategy will also enhance efforts to tackle the illegal tobacco market in Wales, which will include a review of tobacco enforcement tools that are used to deter underaged sales.

Welsh Government have already taken proactive steps to address the illegal market, as earlier this year it launched a national illegal tobacco campaign. The ‘No If No Butts’ campaign was launched in January, which included the unveiling of a national reporting platform. So far, the campaign has been viewed over 4.9 million times on social media, and has led Welsh enforcement to significant seizures of illegal tobacco.

Last year, HMRC and Welsh Trading Standards teams seized an estimated 2.84 million cigarettes and 404kg pouches of hand-rolling tobacco from illegal market in Wales. The new campaign seeks to combat market prevalence, while raising awareness around how illegal sales act as a gateway for children to start smoking.

In context to the UK landscape, the new strategy commits to working with other UK Government’s on tobacco control action and policy. This will include regulations on safety warnings and raising the age of sale of tobacco. Currently, Wales does not have the power to independently raise the age of sale of cigarettes.

The new strategy and first phase delivery plan has been published in both Welsh and English, and can be found at: www.gov.wales

ENDS

REFERENCES & NOTES

  • The new strategy will be published on the 26th of July 2022 , 09:30.
  • The first manufactured cigarettes in Britain are often attributed to W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1883.
  • The World Health Organisation’s estimate on global annual deaths caused by smoking (8 million), found here.
  • Smoking remains the leading cause of premature death and preventable ill-health in Wales, found here and here.
  • NHS Wales spends an estimated £302 million each year on smoking related disease, stat found here, here and here.
  • Estimates from the Public Health Wales Observatory place annual deaths caused by smoking at 5,000, found here.
  • Review commissioned by the UK’s former Health Secretary, Savid Javid, found here.
  • Tobacco is the only legal consumer product that killsup to half its users when used as intended, found here.
  • Welsh Government Endgame target (5%) found here.
  • 5% is understood to be the threshold at which the tobacco epidemic could become unsustainable, found here and here.
  • National Survey for Wales stats stating Welsh adults smoking prevalence at 13%, found here.
  • Modelling conducted by CRUK in 2020, found here.
  • Studies show that smoke-free legislation reduces exposure to second-hand smoke, as well as changing attitudes, found here.
  • ASH Cymru YouGov Survey (2021) found here.
  • World Health Organisation stat marking 4.5 trillion cigarettes are discarded into the environment each year, found here.
  • 3% of Welsh smokers use national stop smoking services each year, figure found here.
  • 4% of 11-16 years are still smoking in Wales stat and reference found here and here.
  • Additional information about the Ottawa model can be found here and here.
  • National Survey for Wales bulletin showing e-cigs are the most commonly used quitting tool in Wales, found here.
  • Evidence reviews assessing relative safety of e-cigs, found here, here and here.
  • Cochrane review on e-cigarettes use within smoking cessation, found here.
  • SHRN survey found here.
  • ASH UK briefing document on smoking and health inequalities within different population groups, found here.
  • ‘No Ifs No Butts’ campaign reach stats issued by Welsh Government, 2022.
  • 2021 illegal tobacco stats released from HMRC to ASH Cymru, found here.

Supplement Paragraphs

Raising the age of sale of tobacco in Wales

Within the new strategy, the Welsh Government will continue to work with UK Governments on a range of non-devolved issues, such as raising the age of sale of tobacco. Currently, Wales cannot independently raise the age of sale, as this area of legislation sits within the remit of UK Government. If the age of sale were raised, the Welsh Government would work closely with the UK administrations on its detail.

Last year, the former UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, commissioned an independent review into how England could realise its smoke-free ambition. The review, led by former Barnardo’s CEO Javed Khan OBE, provided four ‘critical’ recommendations which would need to be actioned if England were to ever reach its own smokefree target.

One of the ‘critical’ proposals included raising the age of sale of cigarettes, by one year, every year, until a no one would be able to purchase tobacco in the country.

When asked if the Welsh Government backed this recommendation, a Welsh Government spokesman said:

“We support measures to strengthen the regulatory framework on tobacco and nicotine products, particularly those designed to reduce the number of young people who start smoking.

‘We would work closely with the UK government if proposals were developed to increase the smoking age from 18.”

Khan’s proposals, released last month, have yet to be agreed by the UK Government. In addition, the Government is yet to issue a comprehensive tobacco control strategy for England, and in turn provide a plan to achieve it’s smoke-free ambition.

According to the tobacco control charity ASH Cymru, the review pulled into focus that stagnation from UK Government hinders Wales’ own tobacco control efforts. Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Cymru said:

“The Khan review is clear in what England needs to do to realise its own smoke-free target.

‘Inaction on this front will not only impact England’s chances to becoming smoke-free, but may impact Wales’ own, as many key tobacco control measures rely on Westminster, such as raising the age of sale.”

ASH Cymru has been vocal in its support for raising the age of sale and have highlighted that this measure could significantly reduce smoking rates in Wales.

The charity points to US evidence which found that raising the age of sale from 18 to 21 in certain states reduced smoking rates in that age bracket by 30%. It is widely accepted that smoking is an addiction which is often starts in childhood or early youth. A survey conducted in 2020 by ASH Cymru showed that the vast majority of smokers in Wales started smoking before the age of 18 (81%). ASH Cymru believes that raising the age of sale of cigarettes would help limit access to youth, and in turn help limit the chances of lifelong addiction.

References & Notes

  • Review commissioned by the UK’s former Health Secretary, Savid Javid, found here.
  • US evidence marking smoking reduced rates, found here and here.
  • ASH Cymru YouGov Survey 2020, found here.

World No Tobacco Day 2022

  • World No Tobacco Day is a global campaign from the World Health Organisation, which takes place on the 31st of May each year.
  • This year the campaign is focused on tobacco’s effects on the environment.
  • Organisations across Wales have voiced support for the campaign and have helped to raise awareness.

Organisations across Wales are showing support for World No Tobacco Day, an annual campaign which raises awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco. The campaign was created by the World Health Organisation in response to the global tobacco epidemic, which claims over 8 million lives each year.

This year’s campaign is focused on the environment, and how tobacco’s use, manufacture and waste harms the planet. This year’s theme will emphasise how the lifecycle of cigarettes can impact forests, farming and ecosystems across the globe.

On a global scale, it is estimated that 1.5 billion hectares of forest have been lost since the 1970s due to tobacco production. It is also estimated that each year, 200,000 hectares of land is cleared for tobacco growing and curing, which in turn affects the wildlife that call the planet’s tropical forests and grasslands home. Both statistics were published within WHO’s official campaign materials, which have been circulated to help change global perceptions on smoking.

In addition to harming landmass, the campaign draws into focus how cigarettes can harm the planet’s oceans. This year’s campaign highlights research by the Environmental Protection Agency, which found that a single cigarette butt left in a litre of water for 96 hours contains enough toxins to kill half of the fish that are exposed to it. The study highlights that even after use, cigarettes can damage aquatic life and fragile ecosystems. For context, it is estimated that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded globally each year, which often find their way into the planet’s seas.

Beyond cigarette waste, the production of tobacco presents a pressing strain on global resources. For example, fertile land that could be used to grow crops is often used to grow tobacco across the globe, which in turn can deplete nutrients from farmed soil. According to WHO, the soil depletion caused by global tobacco growing can be seen to contribute to food insecurity and nutrition challenges within the twenty-first century.

In addition to environmental harms, tobacco continues to harm global health. According to WHO, tobacco will sadly take the lives of half of those who smoke, globally. In addition, the organisation estimates that 1.2 million annual global deaths will be caused as a consequence of second-hand smoke.

Smoking remains the largest cause of avoidable and premature death in Wales. In 2018 alone, around 5,600 deaths in people aged 35 and over, and 28,000 hospital admissions were attributable to smoking in Wales. In addition to health harms, smoking is estimated to cost the Welsh NHS approximately 302 million each year.

In light of the global and local harms, Wales’ leading tobacco organisation ASH Cymru have doubled-up efforts to voice the effects of tobacco this year. In addition to supporting World No Tobacco Day, the organisation spearheads national awareness campaigns through the year. One such campaign is Smoke-Free Beaches, which seeks to highlight the harms of cigarette butts on the Welsh coastline.

Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Cymru, spoke about the importance of voicing the environmental effects of smoking. She said: “This year’s World No Tobacco Day, alongside our own campaigns, draws into focus that smoking not only impacts our health, but also impacts our surroundings.

‘Many people reading today’s campaign may think that smoking doesn’t affect Wales on a local level. But through our work on Welsh Beaches, we know cigarette butt litter remains a big problem on our shores, which in turn impacts the wildlife that call our coastline home”.

Last year, the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Beach Clean survey found that Welsh beaches held the highest amount of littered cigarette butts in Great Britain. The survey recorded 64 cigarette butts for every 100m of Welsh coastline, equating to around one cigarette for every 1.5 metres. The survey results have prompted environmental organisations across Wales to increase awareness of the harms of cigarette waste.

Dr. Laura Foster, Head of Clean Seas at the Marine Conservation Society, marked the benefits of today’s campaign. She said: “Today is a fantastic opportunity for organisations across Wales to raise awareness on the environmental harms of cigarettes.

‘Across the UK, our volunteers record huge volumes of cigarette butts on beaches year in, year out. Beyond the visible pollution problem cigarettes pose, they also leach harmful chemicals and microplastics into our seas as they break down. Today’s campaign highlights these harms, and the many more, that cigarettes pose to our environment”.

John Griffiths, Senedd member and chair of the Cross-Party Group on Smoking and Health, added words of support for smokers in this year’s campaign. He said: “As an ex- smoker, I know the difficulty many people face when trying to quit.

‘Quit attempts are often steered by a decision to improve physical health, personal finances or overall wellbeing. Today’s campaign adds the environment to the already long list of good reasons to seek support.

‘NHS Wales offers a brilliant smoking cessation service, which is free and accessible to all. My message to smokers is to keep trying to stop, as the health, financial and environmental benefits of quitting are far reaching”.

If you would like to access support to quit smoking, the free NHS Wales smoking cessation service can be accessed via: www.helpmequit.wales

 

References

  • Tobacco epidemic claims 8 million lives each year stat, found here.
  • WHO official WNTD22 environment campaign page, found here.
  • 1.5 billion hectares of forests cleared for tobacco production stat, found here.
  • 200,000 hectares of land is cleared annually for tobacco production, found here, here and here.
  • WHO reference to the EPA study on cigarette waste’s effect on fish, here.
  • San Diego State University study examining cigarette butts effects on fish, found here.
  • 4.5 trillion discarded cigarette butts global stats can be found here, here and here.
  • WHO resources outlining tobacco’s effects on soil, farming and food supplies, found here.
  • Research outlining tobacco’s effects on soil resources, here.
  • WHO estimate that tobacco kills half of its users globally, found here.
  • 1.2 million annual global deaths will be caused by second-hand smoke stat, found here and here.
  • Smoking remains the largest cause of avoidable and premature death in Wales, found here.
  • Chief Medical Officer for Wales highting 2018 smoking related death figures (5,600 deaths), found here.
  • Latest figures marking that smoking costs NHS Wales £302 million annually, found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette waste toxicity to animals, aquatic life and the environment found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butt and microplastic pollution research can be found here.
  • Marine Conservation Society 2021 Survey results found here and here.