Urgent warning to millions as tobacco kills one person every five minutes – 5 ways to stub it out
SMOKING kills someone every five minutes in Britain, a “shocking” report warns.
Nearly 125,000 Brits died from tobacco use in 2019, the analysis by Cancer Research UK found.
Cigarettes are the biggest cause of cancer and death in the country, responsible for around 55,000 fatalities a year.
The charity is urging the Government to set up a “Smokefree Fund” to help pay the cost of tobacco control.
Michelle Mitchell, CRUK chief executive, said: “These figures are shocking, and I can’t help watching the clock.
“Since last month, around 17,100 lives have been needlessly lost to tobacco across the UK. Over 7,600 of these were due to cancer alone.
“Our supporters are telling us they want governments across the UK to urgently deliver the vital funding required to address the leading cause of cancer and save countless lives.
“Enough is enough and we’re calling on our supporters to sign a petition we’ll present to the Prime Minister urging him to take bold and decisive action to achieve a smokefree UK.”
Around 6.6million Brits —13.3 per cent — were regular smokers in 2021, according to the most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics.
It was the smallest proportion of smokers since records began in 2011, with rates falling for decades.
The drop-off has been helped in no small part by the rise in popularity of e-cigarettes, which the NHS recommends to smokers to help them kick their habit.
The devices have proved controversial thanks to rising use in teens who have never smoked and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a ban on free samples being handed out to kids.
Despite the decline of smoking, it is still a major strain on the NHS, contributing to tens of thousands of cancer cases and deaths every year.
Tobacco costs the UK public purse around £20.6billion per year, according to Action on Smoking and Health.
The Government is aiming to make Britain “smoke-free” by 2030, meaning less than 5 per cent of Brits would be smoking by then.
CRUK is calling for more funding to stop smoking services and better public health campaigns to raise awareness.
Dr Cary Adams, of the Union for International Cancer Control, said: “Every day, thousands of people around the world die from tobacco-related illnesses.
“Countries have the tools at their disposal to oppose the marketing tactics of companies that sell these carcinogenic products and assist individuals to stop smoking – or never start.”
The 5 ways to give up smoking
Here are five ways that will set you on the right path to stub out cigarettes for good.
Think of the money: The coronavirus pandemic has created a financial burden for many people and smoking is an expensive habit to have.
Calculate how much you spend on smoking each day, then work out what you spend a month and then what you spend on smoking in a year.
Think about what else you could spend that money on, a trip away or you could even put it towards your savings goals.
A pack of 20 cigarettes costs around £14 in the UK.
Try a replacement: The NHS says one way to help stop smoking is to introduce a nicotine replacement.
Guidance from the NHS states: “Cigarettes are addictive, and self-control alone might not be enough for you to stop entirely.
“Give yourself a better chance of success by using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This is available on prescription from your GP, from your local stop smoking service or from a pharmacist.
“You could also consider trying e-cigarettes. While they’re not risk-free, they are much safer than cigarettes and can help people stop smoking.”
Get help: The key thing to remember here is that you don’t have to go it alone when it comes to stubbing out cigarettes.
You can always ask your GP or pharmacist to help and they will be able to advise you on the best course of action to take.
Join a support group: The NHS says that speaking to others in the same position as you can help you quit.
The NHS says your’re four times more likely to quit smoking if you have the help of your local support group.
To find your nearest group, click here.
Prepare mentally: In 2020, more than 300,000 Brits quite smoking amid coronavirus fears.
If you want to quit you’re not alone.
Smoking is a powerful addictive drug which is why it’s hard to give it up.
Author of best-selling The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, the late Allen Carr, said: “There is absolutely nothing to give up… there is no genuine
pleasure or crutch in smoking.
“It is just an illusion, like banging your head against a wall to make it pleasant when you stop.”