| Tobacco was brought to Europe from the | | | | reach retirement age as a result of terminal |
| Americas at the end of the 15th century when it | | | | disease caused by smoking.Smoking rates |
| was thought to have medicinal qualities. Indeed, as | | | | amongst teenagers differ considerably from |
| late as the 1940s, tobacco companies used | | | | young adults in that only around 16% of |
| medical personnel such as doctors in | | | | schoolboys and 26% of schoolgirls smoke. It is |
| advertisements to promote their particular brands | | | | thought that the (incorrect) belief that smoking |
| of cigarettes.It was not until the 1950s that the | | | | can aid slimming or reduce appetite promotes |
| dangers of smoking were firmly established but | | | | smoking amongst girls who are more conscious of |
| tobacco companies are now known to have gone | | | | their appearance. Some commentators argue that |
| out of their way to hide these facts from the | | | | so called supermodels set a bad example, as they |
| public. It is now known that tobacco consumption | | | | are predominantly seen to be smokers |
| causes, upwards of 50 other diseases including, | | | | too.Publicity surrounding the ill effects of smoking, |
| lung cancer, bladder, mouth, nasal, lip and throat | | | | coupled with both government sponsored and |
| cancers, stroke, heart disease including | | | | charity driven education and stop smoking |
| arteriosclerosis (fatty hardening of the hearts | | | | campaigns have had an effect on smoking rates. |
| blood vessels) and chronic obstructive pulmonary | | | | Research has shown that over 20% of women |
| disease (COPD) including bronchitis and | | | | and 30% of men are ex-smokers. This research |
| emphysema.The active ingredient in cigarettes is | | | | has also shown that between 70% and 90% of |
| nicotine which is a highly addictive alkaloid not | | | | current smokers would like to quit the habit |
| dissimilar to caffeine. It is due to their addiction to | | | | primarily in response to the health effects.Indeed, |
| nicotine that smokers continue to smoke despite | | | | the motivation for quitting is strong with over |
| commonly being aware of the main health risks. | | | | 114,000 smokers dying every year as a result of |
| Despite knowing that the nicotine was addictive, | | | | smoking induced illnesses. Singularly, smoking is the |
| tobacco companies denied the fact publicly up to | | | | biggest identifiable killer after heart disease in the |
| the 1980s. Indeed, the Unites States Surgeon | | | | western world. Five times more people die every |
| General's Office did not accept that nicotine was | | | | year as a result of smoking than all of those |
| an addictive agent until 1979 such was the | | | | from traffic accidents, poisoning and drug |
| lobbying power of the tobacco industry.In the UK, | | | | overdoses, alcohol related liver diseases, murder, |
| about 12 million adults currently smoke, with more | | | | manslaughter, suicide and HIV/AIDS.It is widely |
| men (c.28%) than women (c.24%) smoking. | | | | accepted that half of all smokers will die |
| Women smoke on average 13 cigarettes per day | | | | prematurely as a result of smoking although |
| and men 15 which is thought to be as a result of | | | | many commentators argue that the other half |
| differences in body size. The number of smokers | | | | that don't die early lead considerably less healthy |
| has fallen dramatically as the public's awareness of | | | | lives in their latter years.Smoking is responsible for |
| the harmful effects have become known. In the | | | | about 30% of all cancer deaths including about |
| early 1970s, over 50% of men and 40% of | | | | 85% of lung cancer deaths. The other 15% of |
| women smoked compared to the lower and falling | | | | lung cancer deaths can be encouraged through |
| rates of today.Smoking rates vary little across | | | | passive smoking although the asbestos and other |
| the UK, though it is accepted that the further | | | | industries have been found to be responsible for |
| north one travels, the more smokers you will | | | | much. 50% of aortic anyeurism heart disease |
| encounter. Scotland has a smoking rate of 31% | | | | deaths and at least 80% of emphysema and |
| compared with 27% and 25% for Wales and | | | | bronchitis can be solely attributed to tobacco |
| England respectively. There is also a clear | | | | consumption.Polls have shown that the vast |
| demarcation between socio-economic groups with | | | | majority of the population, smokers, ex-smokers |
| lower class manual workers being more | | | | and non-smokers alike all underestimate the |
| pre-disposed to smoking (over 30%) than | | | | dangers of both smoking and passive smoking. |
| professional or higher socio-economic classes | | | | Quitting smoking remains the single biggest benefit |
| (17-20%).Smoking rates are higher amongst lower | | | | a smoker can make to their potential future |
| adult age groups with the 20 to 24 year age | | | | health and those of the people closest to |
| group having the highest incidence of smoking at | | | | them.Pete Howells owns the website and has |
| around 36%. Only 15% of the over 60s smoke | | | | devised a simple system that will help any smoker |
| and only 8% of the over 65s which reflects the | | | | quit by giving them the instructions they need to |
| fact that many older smokers quit or die by the | | | | follow to achieve their ambition to quit. Please visit |
| time they reach this age group! Research has | | | | to find out more about his incredible process for |
| shown that around a quarter of smokers will not | | | | quitting smoking. |