ASH Wales News
Smoking ban will “benefit thousands with long term medical conditions”
Thousands of people across Wales living with long term illnesses will benefit from the smoking ban this April.
The ban on smoking in enclosed public places in Wales, due to come into force on 2 April 2007, will bring major benefits to thousands of people with long term medical conditions. That's the message from the Welsh Long Term Conditions Alliance, a coalition of some of the leading health charities in Wales, set up last year.
Around one third of adults in Wales – an estimated 800,000 people – have at least one long term medical condition, many of which can be worsened by exposure to tobacco smoke:
- Smoking is known to be harmful to people with diabetes, and may also increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the first place.
- 79% of people with asthma report that their asthma is worsened by other people's smoke.
- Over 40% of people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) say they do not visit restaurants and pubs because of the impact that smoking has on their condition.
- People who have smoked have about twice the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis as people who have never smoked, and smoking may also increase the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
Budget Reaction – Tax reduction on stop smoking products welcomed by ASH Wales
The Chancellors's decision to reduce the VAT for one year on quit smoking products to 5% was welcomed by ASH Wales today. This decision means that the one in five people who have indicated they will attempt to quit smoking ahead of the ban on smoking in public places will be more able to afford the stop smoking products.
Tanya Buchanan, Director of ASH Wales said,
“Using cessation products has been demonstrated to assist smokers to quit. However, the cost of these products can deter some people, especially those on low incomes, from using the products. Using nicotine replacement products can double a smokers chances of successfully quitting. We would encourage all smokers who are looking to quit to seek advice from the All Wales Smoking Cessation Service on 0800 085 2219.”
However, despite the reduction in VAT on smoking cessation products, ASH Wales is dissapointed that the Chancellor has not further raised the level of taxation on tobacco. Increasing the price of cigarettes to well above inflation has been demonstrated to reduce smoking rates. There is widespread public support for an increase in taxation on cigarettes if the money raised is used to help people to stop smoking and to reduce the number of young people who start.
Working together in support of No Smoking Day
No Smoking Day is on the 14th March. The theme for this year is Make a Fresh Start. No Smoking Day, now in its 24th year, has become a a firm fixture in the Welsh calendar because of its popularity amongst smokers and its continued success at promoting the benefits of quiting. With only three weeks to go before the smoking ban, No Smoking Day this year will be a great opportunity for many smokers to try and stop.
Ben Youdan, Chief Executive of No Smoking Day, the charity behind the annual health awareness campaign, says:
“Good luck to all smokers who are serious about making a fresh start this No Smoking Day. Stopping smoking is the ultimate lifestyle overhaul. You'll feel fitter, healthier and have more energy and money! A 20 a day smoker could save up to £1,800. Using help support of your local NHS Stop Smoking Service you can make it four times more likely that you will stay smoke free!”
Countdown commences to Welsh smoking ban
With two months to go until the smoking ban in enclosed public places comes into force in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government has unveiled a digital clock in the heart of Cardiff which will count down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until 2nd April. At the same time an advertisement van equipped with a countdown clock will commence a 60-day tour of towns and villages across Wales, providing a visible reminder of the forthcoming ban date for the public and businesses alike.
The main countdown clock will be situated on the glass roof of the Tourist Information Centre at the Old Library in the Hayes, Cardiff.
The site was chosen in partnership with Cardiff Council for its prominent location and proximity to the Capital city's shopping centres, bars, restaurants and cafes.
The mobile countdown clock will visit dozens of towns and villages across Wales throughout the two-month period and will feature prominently in a number of initiatives across Wales, including St David's Day and national No Smoking Day on March 14th.
Legal age of smoking changed from 16 to 18 1st October 2007 UK
This legislation makes it illegal for retailers to sell 16 year olds cigarettes.
Research shows that about 20% of Britain's 15-year-olds –16% of boys and 25% of girls are regular smokers. These are the crucial ages in which children can be susceptible to this habit and put their health at risk.
Therefore, ASH Wales regards this as a huge breakthrough in the reduction in and eventual elimination of the health problems associated with tobacco use.
"If you took 1,000 young adult smokers, one will be murdered, six will die on the roads, but 500 will die from tobacco," (Sir Richard Peto Professor of Medical Statistics & Epidemiology at the University of Oxford).
ASH Wales welcomes smoke-free public places
ASH Wales welcomed today the announcement that Wales will go smoke free on the 2nd April 2007.
Tanya Buchanan, Director of ASH Wales said, “We are delighted that this very important legislation has been approved and that Wales will implement the ban on smoking in enclosed public placed on the 2nd April 2007.
The decision to proceed on the 2nd April 2007 and not to delay until July is an excellent outcome for the health of all people in Wales. Going smoke free will be the greatest step forward for improving the health of people in Wales. Not only will smoke free public places protect the health of all people from the dangers of second hand smoke, it may assist many smokers who want to quit to do so.
6 000 people in Wales still die every year as a result of tobacco related diseases. The implementation of the ban is a fantastic step in the right direction to reducing this terrible loss of life. However, there is still much work to be done to reduce the number of these totally preventable deaths."