http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2016-12-30/hard-hitting-campaign-warns-of-the-dangers-of-smoking/
Health experts are warning that smokers are at a dramatically higher risk of heart disease and having a stroke.
Research released by Public Health England shows 45 people every day die from cardiovascular disease linked to smoking.
Despite recent campaigns, a sixth of people in the West Country still smoke.
15.5% People in the South West are smokers
25% Greater risk of heart disease for smokers
2x Risk of heart attack or a stroke for smokers
Public Health England has started a hard-hitting campaign to coincide with the first year when all cigarettes sold in the UK will be in standard packs with all attractive branding removed.
The packs, which will be mandatory from May, feature graphic picture and text health warnings, several of which illustrate how smoking causes cardiovascular disease and death.
Smoking is the biggest cause of premature death in England, accounting for almost 78,000 deaths a year.
For every death caused by smoking approximately 20 smokers suffer from a smoking-related illness.
However, you can change this. Stopping smoking will have a dramatic positive impact on your health and the health of those around you, especially children, and is the single best health decision you can make this new year.
– CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, PROFESSOR DAME SALLY DAVIES
Public Health England has found that the two biggest motivators for smokers to quit are for their health and their families.
It has released a short film featuring children’s TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh working with primary school children to create their own messages about the dangers of smoking.
But the NHS says there is hope – if you give up now.
We know smoking causes serious illnesses and death, but we also know that quitting will eventually lead to a much reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
The Health Harms campaign will feature a lot of dramatic images of the damage tobacco smoking will cause; if that inspires anyone to quit there is a lot of local help available to them to break the habit.
– RUSS MOODY, PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND SOUTH WEST