Smokers in the Solent area warned how the poisons from cigarettes travel to major organs in the body in seconds

EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01 29^th December 2017

Smokers in the Solent area are being urged to quit with help from Smokefree this New Year after a new TV advert from Public Health England (PHE) highlights the dangers of tar in cigarettes.

Statistics show that smoking kills 8,346 people in Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with another 14,247 people in the area admitted to hospital with a smoking-related disease.

The latest campaign shows how poisons from tar in cigarettes enter the bloodstream, spreading around the body within seconds and causing damage to major organs.

To help explain the ongoing internal harm being caused, a group of seven lifelong smokers declare their intention to quit in January after seeing the results of a lab demonstration. The test results show how their smoking has led to elevated levels of cadmium (a metal used in batteries), cancer-causing nitrosamines and carbon monoxide in their blood. These toxic substances are amongst over 4,000 chemicals released into the body with each cigarette smoked, including more than 70 known cancer-causing compounds.[2] 

 Elevated levels of these substances were seen in the participants’ blood and can lead to an increased risk of major damage to the body.

Exposure to cadmium for a long period of time is associated with an increased risk of damage to the kidneys and bones and may lead to lung cancer.[3] Research has shown that if you regularly smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day, you are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer compared with a non-smoker. [4]The test results show how their smoking has led to elevated levels of cadmium (a metal used in batteries), cancer-causing nitrosamines and carbon monoxide in their blood. These toxic substances are amongst over 4,000 chemicals released into the body with each cigarette smoked, including more than 70 known cancer-causing compounds.[2] 

Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs) are potent chemical compounds, many of which are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). They can cause DNA damage, cell death and are associated with cancers of the pancreas, mouth, respiratory and digestive tracts.[5]

Carbon monoxide decreases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen and consequently puts a strain on the heart. Carbon monoxide is also associated with an increased risk of blood clots and coronary heart disease.⁴

In the new film that supports the TV advert, Dr Dawn Harper, GP from Gloucester, explains the results of the tests to the smokers and how the quality of their blood would start to improve when they quit – ridding them of harmful poisons which cause major damage to the body. Dr Dawn advises the smokers that there are many ways to quit, including free proven support from NHS Smokefree. People can choose what works best for them: face-to-face help, stop smoking aids, a quitting app, email, social media, and SMS support. Find out more at www.nhs.uk/smokefree

 Jason Mahoney, Health and Wellbeing lead for PHE South East, says:

 "Smoking is a deadly habit. Each year it kills 36,532 people in the South East [6] and 64,684 people are admitted to hospital  with a smoking related illness - which works out to be more than seven an hour. In Solent area alone - there is one person admitted to hospital with a smoking-related disease every 40 minutes.

“Our new TV ad shows how every cigarette sends a flood of poisonous chemicals through the bloodstream in seconds. We are urging every smoker in the South East to take advantage of the free Smokefree support and quit for good this New Year."

Nick Groves, 49, from Paddock Wood, Kent, one of the case studies who featured in the advert,  explained how smoking is having a negative effect on his family and how his wife and daughters hate it. 

He said:  “I had promised myself that when I reached 40 I would be a non-smoker – now I’m 42 and still smoking, which has to change. Although my previous attempts have failed, there’s now more support than ever with Smokefree, and so many different options to suit everyone. Smokefree has motivated me to finally acknowledge that promise I made myself this new year.”

Dr Dawn Harper, GP and medical journalist says:

“I see the damaging effects of smoking in my surgery almost every day. Tar from cigarettes causes damage to major organs, the bones and increases your risk of a range of cancers and diseases. But, the good news is that no matter how long you’ve smoked, quitting can reduce your chances of developing cancer, heart and lung disease and other serious smoking related illnesses. Some of the benefits are almost immediate, with improved energy and breathing within a matter of days.

“I know how difficult it is to stop but the important thing is to commit to trying again, no matter how many times you might have tried and failed in the past – it’s never too late.”

Hilary Devey, TV presenter, entrepreneur and lifelong smoker says:

“I’ve smoked at least 20 a day for over forty years. Like many, I’ve been hooked on cigarettes and ignoring the damage – even though I know the harm I’m doing, I’ve found it extremely difficult to quit for good. Even a stroke three years ago only led me to stop temporarily.

“Seeing the high levels of poisonous chemicals in my blood from these tests really hit home how dangerous continuing to smoke is – and for that reason, I’m done!

“I’m absolutely determined to try again this New Year and I hope other smokers across the country will join me making full use of all the free help available at Smokefree - this time next year we could be celebrating one year smoke-free and feeling the benefits.”

Smokefree provides motivation, information and support for smokers who want to stop. Just search ‘Smokefree’ for free support and advice to help you quit smoking.

Table 1: Smoking attributable hospital admissions broken down by local authority

England	518,239
South East	64,684
Bracknell Forest	697
Brighton and Hove	1,863
Buckinghamshire	3,729
East Sussex	5,416
Hampshire	9,787
Isle of Wight	1,021
Kent	12,447
Medway	2,159
Oxfordshire	4,252
Portsmouth	1,553
Reading	986
Slough	892
Southampton	1,886
Surrey	7,928
West Berskshire	1,016
West Sussex	7,316
Windsor and Maidenhead	903
Wokingham	833

Table 2: Smoking attributable mortality broken down by local authority

England	244,470
South East	36,532
Bracknell Forest	388
Brighton and Hove	1,106
Buckinghamshire	1,760
East Sussex	3,042
Hampshire	5,478
Isle of Wight	858
Kent	7,381
Medway	1,288
Oxfordshire	2,229
Portsmouth	945
Reading	532
Slough	438
Southampton	1,065
Surrey	4,431
West Berskshire	596
West Sussex	4,020
Windsor and Maidenhead	516
Wokingham	460

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