Smoking in Glastonbury cost lives

Figures just released from the Local Authority Health Profiles for England claim that in Somerset 811 people over the age of 35 died in 2009 from conditions such as cancer and heart disease caused by smoking tobacco products, which amounts to approximately 16 people a week.  While smoking is still the UK’s biggest preventable killer, more work needs to be done to raise awareness of the harm caused by tobacco, encourage smokers to quit and reduce the uptake of smoking among children.

It appears that slightly fewer people in the area over 16 are taking up the smoking habit than the national average (at 20% compared to 22%, but that still equates to one in five, and it is estimated that as many as 31,000 young people aged 11-15 years smoke in the region and 45 teenagers start smoking every single day.  It is suggested that men who smoke are ten times more likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers and one in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit.

Unfortunately nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man and is the chemical which causes addiction to cigarettes and the subsequent cravings and withdrawal symptoms which make it sodifficult for many to quit.

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals. At least 50 are known carcinogens and many are poisonous yet Cigarettes are one of few products which can be sold legally that can harm and even kill you over time if used as they are intended

NHS Somerset  has been working in partnership with Smoke free South West to cut smoking rates and tobacco-related harm in the region. Figures show that 70% of smokers in fact do want to quit but aren’t always sure how to go about it, but research shows that smokers using the free NHS Stop Smoking Service, combined with a prescribed stop smoking aid, than going it alone.

Glastonbury Health Centre, at the top of the High Street has a specialist nurse in Karen Moore to help you quit, so just pop in to reception for further details. If you are registered at the Feversham Lane Surgery, your GP will also be able to offer help and advice about quitting, and can refer you to an NHS Stop Smoking support service.  Alternatively you can pop into the Pharmacy next door for advice or help with nicotine replacement therapy if appropriate.

To contact the NHS Stop Smoking Service, text ‘LOCAL’ and your postcode to 88088 or call 0303-0339840.

Are you a smoker who has tried to quit but failed?  What went wrong? Or have you successfully managed to quit the habit?  Maybe you have used a hypnotherapy or acupuncture and can recommend a good local therapist.  If so please share your tips here.