Health Warnings Over Rises in Shisha Bars

Today is No Smoking Day, and several newspapers have highlighted the growing concern of the rise in shisha cafes and the lack of health awareness of the harm they can cause.

Data from the Freedom of Information (FoL) taken from 133 local authorities in major cities around the UK shows that the number of shisha cafes/bars have increased by 210 percent since 2007.

Smoking shisha has become a fashionable pastime for many young people falsely believing it to be safer and less harmful than smoking cigarettes.  However, strong evidence suggests that a typical one hour session of smoking shisha is equivalent to inhaling the same amount of smoke as from more than 100 tobacco cigarettes. 

The Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation Dr Mike Knapton said that waterpipe smokers should not be “duped by the sweet and wholesome sounding fruity flavours, if you use shisha you are a smoker and that means you’re putting your health at risk.”

Shisha smoking is linked to the same kinds of diseases as cigarette smoking including heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and problems during pregnancy.  However there are added risks because you often smoke it for a greater length of time than you would a cigarette and you are also exposed to toxins from the wood or charcoal used to burn the tobacco. 

Worryingly, statistics demonstrate that more than one in ten UK Adults (13 percent) continue to think that are no health harms from using shisha.  This could explain the subsequent rises in shisha users and the increase of shisha cafes around the UK.

Tobacco consumption has been linked to a high death rate worldwide with 5 million deaths each year and is considered to be the second major cause of death in the world that is completely preventable.

 

No Smoking Day is a great opportunity for anyone who smokes to try and quit.  However, thousands of quitters could be putting their health at risk by using shisha as an alternative.  More information needs to provided to people so they become educated and clued up on the high health risks associated with shisha.  

For further reading on the harmful affects of shisha smoking click here

If you are interested in quitting smoking or for further advice on the steps to help you stop smoking visit the NHS Choices Website  

Raising Awareness for Lung Cancer

This November in the UK is Lung Cancer Awareness Month aimed at raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease, to encourage people at risk to visit their GP’s and seek medical help.

The Facts

Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world with an estimated 1.61 million new cases diagnosed in 2008.  With the highest rates of lung cancer for men in Central and Eastern Europe, and for women in Northern America.

In the UK, lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed after breast cancer.  Around 41, 000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008, that is, 112 people every day.

The Survival Rates

As with most cancers, the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the chance of survival.  Currently however, more than two-thirds of lung cancers are diagnosed at a late stage and so survival rates for these patients remain lower.

Overall, the statistics show that less than 10 percent of lung cancer patients survive the disease for at least five years after diagnosis.

Death From Lung Cancer

Worldwide around 1.38 million people died from lung cancer in 2008 and in the European Union more than a quarter of a million people died in the same year.

In the UK, lung cancer has been identified as the most common cause of cancer death, resulting in more than 1 in 5 deaths.

The latest figures from 2008, highlight that around 35,260 people died from lung cancer, that is 95 people every day. 

Causes of Lung Cancer

It has long been established that tobacco and cancer are strongly linked.  Evidence has revealed that smoking causes 90 percent of lung cancer deaths.  The recent figures show that in Britain 1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes, that is 9.5 million people.

Living with someone who smokes, also increases the risk of lung cancer in non smokers by a quarter and it is estimated that exposure to passive smoke in the home causes around 11,000 deaths every year in the UK.

It has also been recognised that lung cancer can also be caused by heavy exposure to industrial carcinogens and numerous air pollutants, but this accounts for a small proportion of cases.

Despite the known facts and the strong correlation between lung cancer and tobacco, why is it that so many people continue to smoke?  Why do people ignore the health signs and fail to seek medical support? 

We can all help to reduce the risk of lung cancer and potentially save ourselves, a loved one or someone we know.  This month is dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer and ensuring that people are educated about the disease and know where to find and access help.

For further information on supporting the campaign and raising awareness on lung cancer please click here 

For information on symptoms and lung cancer please visit the NHS Choices website by clicking here  

For information on quitting smoking click here

Saving Lives Through Changing Behaviour

Fresh food, more exercise and no smoking.  These are some of the choices we need to make in order to lead a healthy lifestyle, which is sustainable in the long term.

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) http://www.rsph.org.uk/ has responded to the Government’s White Paper, by developing a suite of training programmes on Behaviour Change designed specifically to support health and well being professionals to deliver these messages effectively as part of their behaviour change strategy. 

Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive of RSPH comments:

“It is our belief that spreading skills and knowledge in this area will have a direct effect on driving behaviour change and reducing health inequalities, resulting in healthier communities across the country.”

Rises in obesity, diabetes, heart disease and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), alongside problems associated with unhealthy eating, drinking and smoking habits, have placed our health service under huge pressure.  As many health conditions are both preventable and avoidable, we have a responsibility to ensure that we intervene and steer people towards healthier lifestyle choices.  This not only positively impacts the wellbeing of the individual but also their communities.

Preventing avoidable conditions is better for both the patient and the health service, but the approach differs depending on the time available, the skill of the individual and the nature of the contact.

The programmes are tailored to help everyone and range from a short introduction for frontline staff right through to strategic planning for leaders and managers.

Influencing Behaviour Change

An introduction to communication and sign-posting

This one day workshop for front-line staff explores the potential improvements they could make to community health by influencing changes to behaviour. Drawing on motivational interviewing techniques and a variety of communication styles, participants will gain a clear understanding of how they can increase the impact of everyday contact with their community.

Making Every Contact Count

An introduction to the Behaviour Change competence framework

This half day programme introduces participants to the competence framework which has been developed by NHS Yorkshire and The Humber. It is designed for use at all levels of experience and provides a common approach against which skills can be assessed, either within a single programme or for an entire workforce. This will enable individuals to identify gaps in their knowledge, Commissioners to address weaknesses in their provision, and Service Providers to offer exactly what is needed.

To find out more about RSPH’s programmes on Behaviour Change please contact Gina Mohajer on gmohajer@rsph.org.uk 020 7265 7327or visit http://www.rsph.org.uk/en/training-solutions/index.cfm

Gearing Up for Men’s Health Week: June 2011

Last week Peter Baker, Chief Executive of the Men’s Health Forum (MHF), signalled in the BBC health news, men’s ignorance towards obesity and its associated health risks, “Too many men are simply failing to recognise the health risks of being overweight”.  Peter Baker claims that, while women tend to have a good understanding of the factors that affect their weight, because of the desire and cultural pressure to be slim, men on the other hand, do not.  As a result, a higher proportion of men are now considered to be overweight or obese, which can create serious health problems and lead to premature death.  The statistics reveal that sixty-six percent of men compared to fifty-seven percent of women are overweight.

The health news has been published just two months prior to Men’s Health Week in June: Get a Man Online.  This year, the focus will be on how new technology can be used to improve men's health. 

The Health Issues:

Evidence from the Men’s Health Forum makes it clear that men’s health is unnecessarily poor.  Too many men still die too young – Twenty-two percent of men in England and Wales die before they reach sixty-four compared to thirteen percent of women. 

Obesity and overweight are considered as a major cause for the excess burden of male death.  Not only does being overweight increase the risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes but it is also an important risk factor for several cancers.  The statistics reveal that men are seventy percent more likely to die from cancers common to both sexes and are sixty percent more likely to get such a cancer.  The number of prostrate cancer has grown to over 34,000 a year. 

Additionally, studies have consistently demonstrated that men are more likely to commit suicide, smoke, have poorer diets and consume higher levels of alcohol.  The statistics show that one in eight men is dependent on alcohol, are three times more likely than women to become dependent on alcohol and twice as likely to die from alcohol-related diseases.  All these health issues are further exacerbated by the fact that men are less likely to access health services available to them, or to take part in health improvement programmes.  

Why the gender inequality?

Men tend to believe that weight is a “women’s issue” and they appear to be less aware of the connection between excess weight and poorer health.  Being physically active could make a notable difference in men’s health, particularly as evidence shows that active men have a twenty to thirty percent reduced risk of early death and up to fifty percent reduced risk of developing major diseases.  However, as men get older they stop partaking in exercise because they become worried about injuries or fearful of not being able to “keep up” like when they were younger.  Peter Baker said, “We need to improve men's physical activity levels, whether through sports or building exercise into routine”.

Moreover, studies have shown that men visit their GPs twenty percent less often than women and are less likely to use pharmacies and other health services.  In a survey of UK male consultations in 2008, it was found that only one in eight men (12%) had visited their GP in the last 14 days compared to 17% of women.  The reason for this “under utilisation” of preventative health care has been attributed to physical and social factors including machism, men’s relative lack of articulacy and inexpressiveness and the inaccessibility of service.

Peter Baker argues that society and men’s own attitude to men’s weight means that services do not really cater well for men.  Thus, services such as NHS weight loss are not man friendly; “We need male-friendly approaches capable of engaging with men and we need them soon - especially in primary care and health promotion”. 

Men’s Health Week (13-19 June 2011) Get A Man Online

--Trips to the doctor may be uncomfortable experience for some men, whereas the internet is discreet and can direct men towards the right services--

Many health problems, which affect men, can be prevented with increased education and intervention or be cured with early detection and treatment.  Consequently, it is essential that men take responsibility for their own health and well-being.  This year Men’s Health Week, supported by RSPH, will focus on how new technologies can be used to improve men’s health.  It is believed that technology may be the tool needed to engage men into taking responsibility for their own health.  If information can be presented in a format that is both appealing and easy to access, they are more likely to use it.  Technology, such as smartphone apps, could potentially deliver health prevention messages in a clear, manageable and interesting way as well as signposting them to health services.  For further information on Men’s Health Week, please visit http://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/21706-mens-health-week-2011. 

As a lead up to Men’s Health Week, the Royal Society for Public Health has developed an innovative Men’s Health course on the 13^th May.  The one day event, which is supported by the Men’s Health Forum, aims to increase health and community practitioners’ understanding of how gender socialisation and masculinity can affect male health beliefs and behaviour.   The course will also aim to increase awareness of the main health problems affecting men; lifestyle factors, which influence men’s health, and barriers men face in using health services.  By identifying appropriate ways to engage men in healthy lifestyle initiatives and increasing male service access, we become closer to reducing existing gender health inequalities.  For further information or to book onto the course please click here or contact Nicolette Smith. 

When talking about men’s health it is also important to remember that any health problems men face are likely not only to affect their lives, but also that of their family, friends and colleagues. Therefore men need to make sure they are looking after their health for the benefit of others as well as themselves.

Shish' of a Time? The Health Implications of Waterpipe Smoking

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease” Buddha

Smoking through a waterpipe, otherwise referred to as shisha, attracted attention in this weeks BBC health news: 'Shisha pipe smoking among young 'rising in Leicester'. The article expressed concern over the recent increase in Shisha users and once again challenged the misconception that Shisha smoking is safer than cigarettes. There is clearly a need for more to be done to get the health message across that smoking, in any form, is dangerous.

Over the past two decades tobacco smoking using waterpipes has become a massively popular and fashionable pastime among younger people. An activity normally shared with friends in homes, restaurants and cafes, shisha smoking has become socially accepted and widely regarded as a relaxing and an enjoyable experience. However, the rise in shisha smokers gives cause for concern because of the multiple associated health risks, of which people are either unaware or choose to ignore.  A report conducted in 2006 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) entitled, "Tobacco use in Shisha: Studies on waterpipe smoking in Egypt", claims that waterpipe smoking represents both a "modern renaissance of an old public health threat and the emergence of a new tobacco epidemic". 

Tobacco consumption has been linked to a high death rate worldwide (5 million deaths each year) and is considered to be the second major cause of death in the world that is completely preventable. With this statistic in mind, it raises the question; why do so many continue to smoke? 

The studies carried about by the WHO examining the effects of waterpipe smoking have all concluded that it is hazardous for our health. However, its growing popularity as a social, glamorous and harmless activity means much of the research has been overshadowed by people's misconceptions. Shisha smokers are thus left ill-informed and ignorant of the risks.

Dr Alan Shidaheh of the American University in Beirut says; "The historical lack of evidence has unfortunately allowed many Shisha users to believe that the practice was safe, or at least safer than other forms of tobacco use. We have recently learned otherwise.”

The History

The 2005 WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation "Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: Health Effects, Research Needs and Recommended Actions" found that shisha has been smoked by people in Africa and Asia for at least four centuries. It is believed that a waterpipe was invented in India by a physician named Hakim Abul Fath who suggested that tobacco would be rendered less harmful if smoke was passed through a small receptacle of water. Thus, this widespread and unsubstantiated belief held by shisha users today - that the practice is safe - is as old as the waterpipe itself. 

Since the 1990s waterpipe smoking has become increasingly popular and is no longer dominated by older males in Middle Eastern countries.  Shisha smoking appears to have spread to new populations such as college students and young persons in the United States, UK and other European countries. 

Health Awareness - Battling the misconception

Although waterpipe smoking has not been studied as intensively as cigarette smoking, the preliminary research claims that it is associated with many of the same risks as cigarettes, and may in fact involve unique health risks.

The evidence affirms that the smoke that emerges from a waterpipe contains numerous toxicants which are responsible for causing oral cavity cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. 

Waterpipe smoking, compared to cigarettes, is characterised by less frequent exposure (one to four sessions per day) but with a much more intense exposure per session, which can typically vary between 15 and 90 minutes. The uptake of tobacco nicotine is equivalent to 2-12 cigarettes per portion of tobacco used (hagar) and one person usually smokes several hagar per session. This translates into a nicotine intake equivalent to more than one pack of cigarettes per session. However, the waterpipe produces more smoke than cigarette smoking and thus overall smoke exposure could be as much as 100-200 cigarettes per session.

In addition, the temperature of burning tobacco in waterpipes is much lower than that in cigarettes, and the force needed to pull air through the high resistance of the water pathway, causes the smoke to be inhaled very deeply into the lungs. This is likely to cause patterns of cell injury in the oral and respiratory tracts. Smoking has also been shown to cause an accelerated decline in lung function.    

While it has been noted that the water does absorb some of the nicotine, waterpipe smokers can be exposed to a sufficient dose of this drug to cause addiction. Nicotine level intake in a standard session is similar to a single cigarette, yet the tar intake is 20 times greater. It is likely that the reduced concentration of nicotine in waterpipe smoke may result in smokers inhaling higher amounts of smoke and thus exposing themselves to higher levels of cancer-causing chemicals, alongside higher levels of arsenic, chromium and lead, as well as hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide.   

Professor Mostafa Mohamed, Professor of Community Medicine in Cairo and author of the 2006 WHO report stated that, “Heat sources that are commonly used in Shisha pipes to burn the tobacco are likely to increase the health risks because when they burn they produce their own toxins".

The report also points out that waterpipe smokers are exposed to a large number of genotoxicants via ingestion, respiration or absorption through the skin. Tobacco has been linked to mutations in the p53 tumour suppressor gene which leads to uncontrolled cell division and is found in over 50% of all human tumours.   

The study found that people who were waterpipe smokers were significantly more prone to develop hypertension and have higher blood pressure than non-smokers. The report also identified that waterpipe smokers are prone to repeated infections due to lowered immunity, and the habit of sharing waterpipes heightened the chance of contracting communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis. There was ample evidence which showed that people who smoked were more likely to experience sleep disturbance. Thus the perception that smoking will help them relax and elevate their mood is, in fact, incorrect. 

The report highlighted that although further research needs to be done, there is strong viable evidence that exposure to waterpipe smoking is as harmful as the exposure to cigarette smoking, if not more so. 

Professor Mohamed affirmed that "Waterpipe smoking is growing epidemic. Any intervention programme to prevent this new threat must disabuse the public notion that waterpipes are less risky than cigarettes."  

What can we do?  

Changing our behaviour and habits is hard. Many people are reluctant to give up something they enjoy, particularly if its a social activity with friends. Hence it is easier to ignore the facts and live for the "now" rather than thinking about the consequences of our actions or wrongfully assuming that "it won't happen to me". 

We have to remember that our health is paramount and making sensible choices now can prevent unnecessary suffering later. 

Both the studies by the WHO point out that despite the strong evidence of health risks associated with waterpipe smoking, there remains few published studies on its negative effects. This has created an ambivalent and misguided picture of Shisha smoking.  More needs to be done to ensure people are educated about the dangers so that its reputation as a harmless and glamorous pastime gets demoted to unfashionable and unsafe!   

  

Education of health professionals, regulators and the public at large is urgently needed to make information more available. The WHO researchers stressed, “Waterpipes should be subjected to the same regulations as cigarettes and other tobacco products and should contain health warnings". 

RSPH  

The Royal Society for Public Health offer a course on Understanding Health Improvement Level 2 designed to provide knowledge and understanding of the benefits of good health and well being, and of the barriers to making a change of lifestyle.  For further information please contact Gina Mohajer. 

       

Getting It Out In The Open - Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People
Reducing Health Inequalities!

Sometimes as a society we tend to avoid issues that we do not feel comfortable with or perhaps do not understand and we may even falsely assume that everyone has the same health needs.  As a result, some people who are perceived as the most vulnerable and most in need of help, either get side stepped or fall through the net.  The Public Health White Paper Healthy Lives Healthy People, advocates a new approach to "reach across and reach out" to address the root causes of poor health to the people who need the most support.  With a particular emphasis on tackling health inequalities, high alcohol levels, smoking, mental health, sexual transmitted infections (STIs) and obesity.  We therefore have a responsibility to ensure people who experience health inequalities and are likely to be the most susceptible to the above, are not isolated or discriminated against, but are brought to the forefront of public health.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people tend to be vulnerable to a number of health risks because of people's reactions to their identity.  This can leave them feeling stigmatised and they are often unrecognised in health and social care settings.  Healthcare and other professionals have a misconception that LGB people's health needs are the same as those of heterosexual people, unless their health needs are related to sexual health.

A briefing written in 2007 by Dr Julie Fish as part of the Department of Health's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advisory Group's work programme entitled "Reducing health inequalities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people - briefings for health and social care staff" sought to highlight that LGB people can be younger, older, bisexual, lesbians, gay men, trans, from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities and disabled, and to dispel assumptions that they form a homogeneous group. 

Health Issues: What We Don’t know
Many young people know they are lesbian, gay or bisexual by the age of 11 or 12, but do not come out until they are 15 or 16 years of age.  The period between 11-16 years, has been described as the isolation years and has been identified as the time when young LGB’s need the most support and information.  During these critical “isolation years” LGB's may feel alone, confused and stigmatised particularly as it is also the period where they may encounter homophobic bullying in schools.  Evidence suggests that between 30% to 50% of young people in secondary schools, attracted to people of the same sex, would have experienced homophobic bullying, and that "gay" is the most frequent term of abuse in the playgrounds.  Young LGB people are also at risk of violence and victimisation and are likely to face verbal abuse, teasing, physical assault both in schools and on the streets. 

Feelings of isolation, fear of being unable to talk about their sexual orientation and the consequences of homophobic bullying can have an impact on a young person's mental health and which could have negative repercussions during their adult life.  The evidence taken from the briefing into young lesbian, gay and bisexual people, highlights that these young people are at increased risk of mental problems, are more likely to suffer from depression, to have attempted suicide (as a result of family denial, self loathing and leaving home) and lead unhealthier lifestyles than their heterosexual peers.  The statistics reveal that compared to their heterosexual peers, lesbian and bisexual girls are more likely to smoke and binge drink.  There is also an increased risk that young gay and bisexual men may take illicit drugs and may not be aware of  health risks from unprotected sex.  

The unhealthy lifestyles experienced by young LGB people can follow them into adult life.  Researchers have pointed out that LGB’s may use drugs, alcohol and tobacco as coping mechanisms in dealing with their homophobia.  However, they have also argued that the lack of social spaces for LGB’s means they are more likely to congregate in clubs and pubs and hence are more obliged to use the "scene" and fit in with a drinking culture. 

The Statistics:

Smoking: Young lesbian and bisexual women were almost 10 times more likely to smoke at least weekly compared with heterosexual women.
- 25% of lesbians are smokers compared with 15% of heterosexual women.
- 33% of gay men are smokers compared with 21% heterosexual men

Alcohol: Lesbian and bisexual women aged 20-30 years reported higher weekly alcohol consumption and less abstinence compared with heterosexual women

Drugs: In comparison with young heterosexual people, young LGB’s are:
- 3 times more likely to use MBMA/ecstasy
- 8 times more likely to use ketamine
- 26 times more likely to use crystal methamphetamine. 

Eating disorders:
- Gay men are more likely to engage in recurrent binge eating and purging which is often linked to aspirations to the ideal gay male body shape (slim and muscular).
- Lesbians are believed to have a higher body mass index than heterosexual women and may be more at risk of obesity. 

Good health should include everyone and that means reaching out to all segments of the population and understanding that different groups have different needs and requirements.  The rising levels of STIs and the fact that LGB people still feel discriminated against and continue to experience a number of health inequalities, signifies that more needs to be done to support them.  This may include how commissioners and providers deliver their services and how they are perceived by LGB service users.    

What Can You Do?
Training Solutions are offering a programme on Addressing Health Inequalities Experienced by Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People on the 7th April.  The one-day course aims to raise awareness of the health and social care needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people, who are disproportionately affected by health and social inequalities. It will identify key research findings that affect LGB communities specifically, and examine how these relate to the statutory obligations for services. As the public health agenda broadens in the light of the forthcoming Equality Act, it is essential that health and social care services are accessible and meet the needs of all potential service users.

For further information please click here or contact Nicolette Smith 

Women Smoking their way to Lung Cancer

This week is particularly important for public health for two reasons;  firstly, today is International Women's Day and secondly, tomorrow, Wednesday 9th March, is National No Smoking Day.  Consequently, many charities are using this opportunity to flag up important health issues, so as to raise awareness and discuss ways of overcoming them. 

Yesterday, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) revealed their latest figures showing that rates of lung cancer have more than doubled for women over the age of 60 since the 1970's.   The statistics show a notable rise from 88 per 100,000 in 1975 to 190 per 100,000 in 2008.  For women over the age of 80 the picture is even more alarming, with lung cancer rates tripling from 84 per 100,000 in 1975 to 273 cases diagnosed for every 100,000 women in 2008. 
 
Although lung cancer for men is still considerably high, the data demonstrates that there has been a slight decrease in recent years and CRUK believe this is a result of changes in smoking patterns.  While the proportion of male smokers peaked before 1960, women smokers on the other hand, increased during the 1960's and 1970's, which would now effect those over the age of 60.  Overall, the number of women diagnosed with lung cancer has risen from 7,800 cases in 1975 to more than 17,500 in 2008.  Whereas in 1975 the rates for men over 60 fell from 23,400 to 19,400 in 2008. 

Lung Cancer: The Facts

• Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the UK after breast cancer.
• Around 41, 000 were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 - equivalent to 112 people every day.
• In the 1950s, for every lung cancer case diagnosed in women in the UK, there were 6 in men.  That ratio is now 3 cases in women for every 4 in men.
• More than 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer occur in people over 60 years of age.
• Rates of lung cancer in Scotland are among the highest in the world, reflecting their history of high smoking prevalence.
• Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world with an estimated 1.61 million new cases diagnosed in 2008.
• In the UK it is the most common cause of cancer death - accounting for more than 1 in 5 deaths.
• Around 35,000 people died from lung cancer in the UK in 2008 - which is 95 people every day.

What Causes Lung Cancer

• The link between tobacco and cancer was established more than 50 years.
• Smoking causes almost 90% of lung cancer deaths.
• It is estimated that exposure to passive smoke in the home causes around 11,000 deaths every year.
• A small proportion of lung cancer cases are caused by heavy exposure to industrial carcinogens and air pollutants, including diesel exhaust, asbestos and non-ferrous metals.

For further information visit the CRUK official website by clicking here.

Nonetheless, CRUK do point out that successful anti-smoking measures - such as the tobacco advertising ban and the legislation making public places smoke free - have meant the number of smokers has continued to drop.
Jean King, Cancer Research UK’s director of tobacco control, said: “These figures highlight how important tobacco control measures are in helping people to stop smoking. With the lung cancer rate rising among women we would like the government to introduce a comprehensive and well funded tobacco control strategy that targets at risk groups and stops young people from beginning an addiction that kills half of all long term smokers”
“Around nine in ten cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking and one in five people still smoke, so it’s vital that work continues to support smokers to quit and protect young people from being recruited into an addiction that kills half of all long term smokers. In particular we want displays in shops covered up so that young people are no longer being exposed to this form of tobacco marketing.”

What Can You Do?
Get Involved and Help Raise Awareness for Women's Health!
In aid of International Women’s Day this year, the Royal Society for Public Health is running a "Women's Health and Well Being" programme on 12th May.  The event will seek to raise awareness of interrelationship between lifestyle and health, while educating participants about the steps they can take to empower women to improve their physical and mental health.  For further information or to download our flyer please click here or please contact Nicolette Smith 020 3177 1625.