While many parts of the country could be said to be in poorer health than others, it seems from recent reports that the Welsh population is suffering from ill health more than most. In fact, in North Wales, levels of smoking are causing concern among health professionals. This is in addition to the well documented problems with excess alcohol consumption and drug taking. So, is North Wales storing up problems for the future and what can and is being done to combat these problems? What will it take to encourage people to quit smoking and just what can be done to make quitting that little bit easier?
In the north of the country, it has been found that 24 per cent of adults are smokers and that 1,300 deaths in the area are attributed to smoking each year. In addition, those who die from cancer make up 40 per cent of the figures, circulatory disease accounts for 28 per cent and respiratory disease is responsible for nine per cent of the total 2,500 deaths each year, all of which can be caused by smoking.
Clearly, the answer to these issues is to encourage local people to give up smoking as soon as they can and to avoid young people taking up the habit. Some progress has been made as far as the latter point is concerned. The latest 2011 Children and Young People's Wellbeing Monitor for Wales has indicated that young people and adolescents are taking up smoking at a lower rate than the previous report, which was published in 2008.
But what about those people who have already taken up the habit? There is plenty that can be done by the local government to encourage people to quit smoking and making it more difficult to smoke in public places has been one strategy. The smoking ban, which took effect in 2007, has gone some way, but a more recent initiative could have even more success.
The Welsh Assembly has put forward proposals this year to cut smoking levels in the country from 24 per cent to just 16 per cent by 2020, and has asked the NHS to take on the responsibility by making its premises completely smoke-free. In response, two hospitals in Cardiff and Llandough have banned smoking outside their buildings, except for certain areas. However, a wholesale ban is proposed to take place from November. It is hoped that the initiative will spread throughout Wales.
Of course, it is all very well to expect people to simply give up smoking without support as this is a very difficult thing to do. Thankfully, the NHS has a number of excellent schemes in place to help people who wish to give up, and for those not wanting to use the NHS one option is to try electronic cigarettes.
For many, giving up their cigarettes cold turkey is almost impossible and having a product which provides the feeling of smoking without the harmful chemicals can be a good way to learn to cut down. Sometimes known as E Cigarettes, they can be an effective way to make the step from being a full smoker to becoming a non-smoker. They are especially good for people who do not want their smoking habit to affect others such as children, as the vapour released is not harmful. Best of all for those wanting to make the switch is that they are not difficult to find, and they can even be purchased online and delivered to your house.
Other options are nicotine gums and patches. These are available from many high street chemists or sometimes from a doctor on prescription. In fact, doctors can offer plenty of advice about how to quit and will give information on stopping smoking support groups.
It has to be made clear that these alternatives are based on adding nicotine to the bloodstream, the very thing which causes the addiction to cigarettes. So, it is important that they are used as a way to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with breaking the habit and that the ultimate aim is to be free from all sources of the drug.
North Wales clearly has a way to go to achieve reduced smoking levels, but with the help of the government, stopping smoking aids and a comprehensive education program, it is hoped that the future will be smoke-free.