Cancer Rates on the Rise - says new report by WHO

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has today published a new “World Cancer Report 2014” to coincide with World Cancer Day. The report highlights the growing rates of cancer around the world and advises that stronger efforts on prevention are needed to tackle this problem.

The IARC estimates that the global burden of cancer will rise from around 14 million new cases per year in 2012 to 22 million within the next 20 years

The report identifies that due to growing ageing populations, developing countries are disproportionally affected by growing rates of cancer. It is believed that over 60 percent of the global burden is in Africa, Asia and Central and South America, were 70 percent of cancer sufferers die. A lack of early detection and treatment are a particular concern.

The report argues that half of all cancers could be avoided, if measures to prevent the disease are put in place. 

There is now a wealth of information on cancer available as well as more effective and efficient ways to treat the disease. However, more is needed to ensure early detection and fair access to treatment.      

Dr. Christopher Wild, report co-editor and director of the IARC, says:

"Despite exciting advances, this Report shows that we cannot treat our way out of the cancer problem. More commitment to prevention and early detection is desperately needed in order to complement improved treatments and address the alarming rise in cancer burden globally."

Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide and therefore a huge global public health issue. Statistics reveal that in 2012 there were 8.2 million deaths to cancer, with lung cancer being the highest (1.59 million deaths), followed by liver (745,000 deaths), colorectal (bowel) (694,000 deaths) and breast (521,000) to name a few.

In addition, the costs associated with cancer can be very damaging to even the richest nations and very hard hitting for the poorer ones.

In 2010, the total global annual cost of cancer reached an estimated US$1.16 trillion

The report advocates that half of all cancers could be avoided, saving millions of lives a year, if detection is made early enough and if we implement the knowledge that we already know. This also includes individuals being aware of high risk behaviour and consequently taking steps to limit their chance of developing cancer.    

Currently, tobacco use has the single biggest impact, with 22 percent of global cancer deaths and over 70 percent of global lung cancer deaths

It is estimated that around 30 percent of cancer deaths could be prevented if certain health risk factors are avoided and or reduced. These namely include, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, preventing being overweight, eating healthily and increasing levels of physical activity.

For information on understanding the importance of health and how to help and support others to make healthier changes, visit http://www.rsph.org.uk/en/training-solutions/index.cfm to view a list of our training programmes.   

Is premature death a postcode lottery?

A new interactive map, Longer Lives, produced by Public Health England (PHE) demonstrates the variation in premature death across England through a colour code technique. The map which ranks 150 authorities by their premature death rates – that is before the ages of 75 – also allows users to view these areas by five of the most common causes of premature (and preventable) deaths.

These include cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease and liver disease. The map further enables users to view the areas which are the most socio-economically deprived.

Interestingly, the map clearly identifies the North of England as having large proportions of premature mortality, where deprivation is more prevalent, compared with the South of England where good health is more evident particularly in affluent areas. However, a few exceptions to this do exist in the South especially in London boroughs, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Newham, where health is regarded as extremely poor and deprivation seemingly high. 

To view the coloured coded map and see how your area rates click here.

Why such a divide between North and South

The reasons as to why such a variation exists could be due to rates of poverty, obesity levels, alcohol consumption and smoking. Historical factors such as decline of the manufacturing industry in the North, may have increased unemployment and hence poverty in the regions. Other factors may include the social and cultural environment as well as access to education, housing and transport.

Nonetheless, what the map does highlight are areas in which local authorities need to pay particular attention to improve health and tackle health inequalities – it is unacceptable in our modern day society for such a disparity of mortality to exist depending on location.

The RSPH has been working with Well London to provide health improvement training and education to people from the most hard to reach and deprived areas of London, more information can be found here.

Regardless of where we live, all of us can take simple steps to improve our health and even positively influence the people around us to make real and lasting lifestyle changes. Our most popular qualification Understanding Health Improvement Level 2 Award, and Understanding Behaviour Change Level 2 Award provide practical knowledge of the benefits of good health and wellbeing. They examine how we can reduce health inequalities  through basic understanding of the concept of health, building confidence in talking about health and encouraging people in the community to seek health services available to them. For more information please contact Gina Mohajer gmohajer@rsph.org.uk. 

Why we should take that extra little time and have a nutritious and whole grain breakfast

Are you one of those people who eats breakfast on the go? Not really thinking about what is going in your mouth so long as it does the job of filling you up?  Or worse yet, do you skip breakfast all together, simply because you do not have the time?

Research has shown that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; increases concentration, helps with weight loss and lowers cholesterol levels.  However, it is what we consume for breakfast that will make the fundamental difference to our health. 

Cardiovascular disease accounts for one-third of deaths worldwide, of which unhealthy diets is a major risk factor.  We are reminded time and time again of the many health benefits of consuming a diet that is rich in fibre, whole grain and cereal.

Numerous studies over the years have supported the argument that these types of foods can reduce the risk of developing certain diseases including, coronary heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

However, why do so many of us choose to ignore these dietary recommendations? Is it because we are lazy, stuck in rut and don’t know how to make changes? Or is it because we know certain foods are good/bad for us but don’t really understand why?

As John O’Mullane and Carol Muir author of the Fat Factor point out;

“When it comes to diet related problems...you need to be armed with the necessary background information that will allow you to make informed decisions”.

Why is whole grain food good for us and what can we do to make sure we have enough of it in our diet?

Grains consist of three parts, the Bran (the outer layer which contains the fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and dietary minerals) the Endosperm (the main part which is mostly starch) and the Germ (the smallest part which contains vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, folate and thiamine).

When grains are refined, i.e the bran and germ is removed (to make white flour, white bread, pastries) it leaves behind the energy-dense but nutrient-poor endosperm portion of the grain.  This process strips away more than half of wheat's B vitamins, 90 percent of the vitamin E, and virtually all of the fibre. 

Refined grains and cereals often have a higher GI, which means that it causes a sharp rise in blood sugars and hence causes the pancreas to work even harder.

Phillip Mellen, M.D., lead author and an assistant professor of internal medicine said "Years ago, scientists hypothesized that the higher rates of chronic diseases we have in the West, including heart disease, are due, in part, to a diet full of processed foods.”

The benefits

Whole grains help protect against Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer and Obesity

“A growing body of research shows that returning to whole grains and other less-processed sources of carbohydrates and cutting back on refined grains improves health in myriad ways” Harvard School of Public Health.  

Numerous studies over the years are pointing to the conclusion that whole grain and better health walk hand in hand.  A major research study from the Wake Forest University of Medicine, analysed seven studies involving 285,000 people between 1966 and 2006.  From the data they found consuming whole grains on a daily basis lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease considerably.

“Eating an average of 2.5 servings of whole grains each day is associated with a 21 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to consuming only 0.2 servings”, said Mellon.

The main reason for this reduction in heart disease is because whole grain, as opposed to refined foods, decreases blood pressure, lowers cholesterol in the blood stream and steadies insulin levels. 

Type 2 Diabetes

A large study of 160,000 women whose health and dietary habits were followed up over 18 years, found that those who consumed 2 -3 servings of whole grains a day were 30 percent less likely to have developed type 2 diabetes than those who rarely ate whole grains.  As such, researchers estimate that swapping white rice for whole grain could lower diabetes risk by 36 percent. 

Cancer

The data on cancer is a little more ambiguous, however, the properties contained within whole grain such as phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), the essential minerals such as, magnesium, selenium and manganese, are believed to protect against some cancers.  A Norwegian study found that people who ate the highest amount of whole grains reduced their risk of death from cancer by almost 25 percent.  A consistent protective effect has been observed when whole grains are eaten three to four times a week. 

Healthy Bowel Movement and Weight Control

The fibre in whole grains helps prevent constipation by increasing the movement of food through the digestive tract.  As a result, this decreases levels of destructive bacteria and the build up of carcinogenic compounds.  Wheat fibre can bind certain toxins and remove them from the large bowel.

Moreover, high fibre foods including wholegrain breads, cereals and oats, can be an effective way to help loose weight healthily.  Not only are whole grains naturally low in saturated fat they take longer to digest and create a feeling of fullness – discouraging overeating. 

What are whole grain foods and how much should we be eating? 

Examples of whole grain foods include rye bread, brown rice, oatmeal, barley, bulgur wheat, wheat berries and flours such as whole wheat.  Although there are no standard guidelines on how much whole grain we should eat, it is recommended that we consume at least three servings of whole grain a day.  Swapping white bread and white rice for brown, having more whole wheat and whole grain cereals are just some suggestions.  For information and useful tips on how to incorporate whole grain into your diet click here 

Altering our diet is not always easy, but making small changes can have far reaching and positive affects to our health and what better way to start than with breakfast! 

Read more on the benefits of whole grain by click here.  

Whole grains should be eaten as part of a balanced diet. 

Why making just two lifestyle changes can have positive and far reaching affects on health

A recent study, at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, found that changing one bad habit can have a positive knock on effect on other behaviours.  A simple step such as watching less television, can simultaneously reduce the amount of time one spends snacking on unhealthy foods – as these two behaviours are closely related.   As such, the notion that you must radically transform your life in order to be healthier is not necessarily true and often hard to maintain.  Making just a couple of small changes, as the study demonstrates, can have a real and long lasting impact on people’s health.

The study was conducted by Bonnie Spring, professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in an attempt to find out the most effective way to spur people to change common bad health habits.  204 adult patients with unhealthy habits, were given the following treatments; an increase in vegetables/fruit and physical activity and decrease in fat and sedentary leisure.  Over the course of the three weeks, the patients had to record their daily data into a personal digital assistant in order to establish if they met their goals. 

After the three weeks, patients no longer had to maintain their “healthier” lifestyles, but were still required to send data three days a month for six months.

After the completion of the six months, the study found that the patients kept to their new healthier lifestyle changes rather than reverting back to their old habits.  Around 86% of the participants said that once they had made the initial change, they tried to maintain it.  By incorporating fruits and vegetables in their diet empowered them to believe that they were in fact capable of change. 

The results indicated that the most effective way to improve health required two key behaviour changes, namely cutting the amount of time spent watching TV or on the computer and eating more fruits and vegetables.  It is believed that these two simple changes could have long lasting results.   

Spring said, "Just making two lifestyle changes has a big overall effect and people don't get overwhelmed."

The majority of the population, where obesity is most prevalent, often lead unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles, putting them at high risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.  Spring argues that it is often hard for doctors to know where to initiate change in unhealthy habits, without discouraging or offending patients.   Thus this “two way” simple approach enables others to make realistic and manageable changes by giving them confidence to carry it out.

“With this simplified strategy, people are capable of making big lifestyle changes in a short period of time and maintaining them”  


Photo by Sina Bahrami http://5127.co.uk/

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  

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.

A Drink Too Many - The Health Implications of Alcohol
Evidence reveals that alcohol causes 13,000 cancer cases a year in Britain

There is a misconception that only people who binge drink or get drunk are most at risk of developing health problems.  However, evidence now shows that most people who regularly drink more than the NHS recommended guidelines (3-4 units for men and 2-3 units for women daily) may in fact be damaging their health, and increasing their chance of getting cancer. 

The adverse effects of excessive alcohol consumption were made clear in last weeks health news reports, which used the findings from a large European study to highlight the correlation between cancer and alcohol.   

The research used data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), a cohort study which examined how diet and lifestyle related to the development of cancer.  The study included 363,988 people who were followed over a nine year period from eight European countries.  Participants taking part in the study, were requested to answer specific questions on the amount, frequency and type of any alcoholic drinks they consumed in the past and at present. 

The results published in the British Medical journal, “Alcohol attributable burden of incidence of cancer in eight European countries based on results from prospective cohort study” found that one in ten of all cancers in men and one in thirty-three in women were caused by past or current alcohol intake.  It revealed that alcohol consumption above the daily maximum, caused 33,037 of 178,587 alcohol-related cancers in men (18.5 percent) and 17,470 of the 397,043 alcohol-related cancers in women (4.4 percent).

The European study found that although there was a variation in average alcohol consumption across the European countries, alcohol was responsible for the following cancers:

-     - Upper digestive tract cancers (mouth, throat oesophagus) 44% for males and 25% for females

-     - Liver cancer 33% for males and 18% for females

-     - Colorectal cancer (bowel) 17% for males and 4% for females

-     - Female breast cancer 5%

In the UK specifically, drinking has caused 2,500 cases of breast cancers, 3,000 bowel cancers and 6,000 cases of cancers of the mouth, throat or windpipe. 

It is understood that when alcohol is broken down in the body it turns into acetaldehyde, a compound that damages DNA , which increases the risk of cells becoming cancerous.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chairman of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance said, "In the last 10 years, mouth cancer has become much more common and one reason for this could be because of higher levels of drinking - as this study reflects.”

Information from NHS Choices, The Risks of Drinking Too Much highlights that alcohols hidden harms usually only emerge after a number of years, and these can consist of, liver problems, reduced fertility, high blood pressure, heart attack and increased risk of various cancers.  

The research concluded that there was a stronger association with cancers that are already known to be causally associated with alcohol, such as cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and liver. For these cancers, much of the excess risk was due to drinking above the maximum daily limit, defined in the study as more than 24g of pure alcohol for men (3 units) and more than 12g for women (1.5 units).  

A Call For Action

In light of the evidence, cancer charities have affirmed that people should limit their drinking to lower the risk.  Cancer Partners UK medical director Prof Karol Sikora stated that this is the best data we are likely to get, therefore the message is clear “the more alcohol you drink, some of the common cancers - the four cancers that have been identified - do increase, and that's worrying. So the message has to be 'look at drinking habits, and reduce.'"

Co-author Naomi Allen, a Cancer Research UK epidemiologist based at Oxford University in the UK, said that this study adds to existing evidence that alcohol consumption causes cancer, and that even drinking moderate amounts can increase the risk, "The results from this study reflect the impact of people's drinking habits about ten years ago. People are drinking even more now than then and this could lead to more people developing cancer because of alcohol in the future," said Allen.

Madlen Schutze, lead researcher and study author from the German Institute of Human Nutrition, said that many cancer cases are avoidable if alcohol consumption was limited or stopped all together.   

Charities are now calling on governments to introduce tougher measures  to curb alcohol consumption.  Professor Gilmore told the BBC “that sitting back and waiting for people to change their habits, perhaps with voluntary partnerships with the drinks industry included in policies, will not bring about results”. 

What Can We All Do?

Eating healthily, doing exercise, not smoking and limiting our alcohol intake can all help prevent the risk of developing cancer.  RSPH Training Solutions has developed courses specifically to help people understand and improve their health and well-being.  The level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement provides knowledge and understanding of the benefits of good health and well being, and of the barriers to making a change of lifestyle.  This qualification is specifically designed for people who work with the public in a healthcare environment and those who have an interest in developing public health skills.  For further information on the course 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.