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