From banning smoking in enclosed public places to creating standardised packaging for tobacco products, over the years the UK government has accelerated its goal of a smoke-free future. So much so, England and Wales aim to become smoke-free by 2030.
As part of this drive, the government announced its plan to stop new generations smoking. Under its proposed ban, people born in England on or after 1 January 2009 will never legally be allowed to buy tobacco. Given the negative health effects of smoking, the crackdown is no surprise. Every year, about 76,000 people in the UK die because of smoking, with the habit causing 70% of lung cancer cases.
“Smoking increases the risk of numerous health conditions, from lung cancer and heart disease to respiratory illnesses like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,” says Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK. “On average, smokers live 10 years less than non-smokers and, according to the latest data from the NHS, 35% of all deaths from respiratory conditions can be attributed to smoking.”
But while the health implications may be known, giving up smoking is difficult. As cigarettes contain the highly addictive stimulant nicotine, smokers can experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, poor sleep and sickness when they attempt to quit.
“Quitting is incredibly hard, especially without support, as nicotine is very addictive,” says Emma. “The nicotine in tobacco gets rapidly into the brain and creates a need to continue to smoke. The falling level of nicotine then creates the urge to smoke. Controlling these urges is the key to being able to kick the habit.”
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Denne historien er fra March 11, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE PITFALLS OF AT-HOME REMEDIES
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GREEK RETREATS
Relax and unwind at some of the Greek islands' best wellness destinations, offering sun, sea - and spas
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Romy Gill takes us on a journey through the ancestral kitchens of the Bengal and Punjab regions by sharing 70 of her beloved family recipes
DANCING QUEEN: 'You'd have to shovel me out of my Strictly chair'
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THE MATCHMAKER: 'I would pay to go on My Mum, Your Dad if I wasn't in a relationship'
As the hit ITV dating series where single parents get a second chance of finding love returns, host Davina McCall reveals why the show is such a success
REEL DRAMA: BRAD STEALS THE SHOW AT MAJOR MOVIE EVENT
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SUMMER OF LOVE: 'We just match each other perfectly'
Olympic swimmer Matthew Richards marries fiancée Emily Large in a fairytale ceremony, making it a summer that they'll never forget
LIFE, LOVE AND DUTY: QUEEN CAMILLA'S JOURNEY INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Following another busy week of duties, it's clear Queen Camilla has taken to her role in the monarchy “like a duck to water\" says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond