Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
21 September 2016 07:58
Smoking rates have fallen further in England
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
Just 16.9% of people in the country now smoke, according to Public Health England, which is the lowest reading since records were first collated.
The figure was published as the group gears up to launch its annual Stoptober campaign next month. This scheme encourages people to give up cigarettes during the month of October.
Public Health England has suggested that those who kick the habit for 28 days are five times likelier to give smoking up full-time.
Health effects
Smoking can have a number of negative effects on people's health and well-being, with lung cancer one of the major risks which it poses.
Those with lung cancer who are planning holidays abroad may need to consider specialist medical travel insurance before venturing overseas.
Stoptober campaign
A range of celebrities have offered their support to the latest edition of the Stoptober campaign, with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, former cricketer Phil Tufnell and singer Natasha Hamilton among them.
The campaign will have an online focus this time round, with Facebook set to be a key source of advertising. Public Health England boss Duncan Selbie recently revealed that the social media site is used by close to three quarters of smokers.
A Stoptober app and new Facebook Messenger tool are among the online services designed to help smokers kick their habit.
Key stats
According to the organisation, England now has twice as many former smokers as current smokers, with the respective figures 14.6 million people and 7.2 million people.
Some 20% of the 2.5 million smokers who attempted to quit last year managed to do so.
Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and well-being at Public Health England, said smoking remains the largest cause of preventable early death in England.
He added: "Quitters will soon see they have reduced blood pressure, easier breathing and better circulation. Stopping smoking is the best thing a smoker can do to improve their health."
14 November 2018
Leukaemia patients are now a step closer to personalised treatments after a British study looked at the role gene mutations play in blood cancers.
[more...]
13 November 2018
A quick scan of the blood vessels in a patient's neck could soon be a critical part of future dementia screening, new research has suggested.
10 November 2018
The NHS spends more than £1 billion a year on prescriptions for people with diabetes, new figures show.
09 November 2018
Woman who smoke, have diabetes, or high blood pressure are more likely to suffer a heart attack than men with the same risk factors, a new study claims.
08 November 2018
Millions of UK pensioners feel they don't have anyone they can turn to for help, a leading charity has warned.
07 November 2018
Over a quarter of medical workers are still reluctant to recommend e-cigarettes to smokers despite being told to do so by health authorities, a new survey has revealed.
06 November 2018
A new direct flight between Manchester and Mumbai could boost the economy of northern England to the tune of £400 million, a new report suggests.
02 November 2018
Air travellers could soon face restrictions on the amount of alcohol they can drink before flying, under plans currently being considered by the government.
01 November 2018
A vegan diet could help people living with diabetes to better manage their condition, a new review suggests.
31 October 2018
Electric planes could soon be flying on short-haul routes in Europe, according to the boss of EasyJet.
30 October 2018
UK air travellers waste up to £175 million every year on seat allocations that they don't need, a new study has revealed.
27 October 2018
Nearly a third of pregnant women had their labour induced last year, leading experts to link the figure with rising maternal age and obesity.