March e-Newsletter

March e-Newsletter

'Wise-Up to Roll-Ups' campaign targets hand rolling tobacco smokers

Smokefree South W est has launched a major campaign targeting the 33% of smokers in the area, the highest in the country, who use hand rolling tobacco. The first of its kind, it highlights its inherent health risks and dispels the myths that have built up around it.

Research was conducted amongst smokers of hand rolling tobacco.

Key findings show:

• Smokers say hand rolling tobacco is more natural, with fewer additives. Many believe it allows them greater control over their smoking.
• Many smokers believe that smoking hand rolling tobacco represents a more 'organic' and healthier option.
• Smokers enjoy 'rolling up' and see it as a real art form and skill.
• Hand rolling tobacco smokers are immune to traditional anti-smoking campaigns. They don't think of themselves as 'normal' smokers.

The campaign, which has been backed by Cancer Research UK and the Faculty of Public Health, can be seen across the South West including eye catching billboards, support packs for smokers looking to quit and hard-hitting radio and television adverts.

Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health and Smokefree South West spokesperson said: "The majority of hand rolling tobacco smokers believe that 'rollies' represent a healthier option. They have a strong belief that they contain fewer additives and are grown from an organic source. This is simply not the case.

"In fact, the same manufacturers who make cigarettes such as the West Country's own Imperial Tobacco also produce pouches of rolling tobacco. Hand-rolled cigarettes present the same kinds of health risks to smokers as manufactured cigarettes, such as cancer, impotence, stroke and lung disease."

The cost of hospital admissions for users of hand rolling tobacco in the South West ran to approximately £31.7m in 2008/09, this represents an estimated £6 for every person in the South West.

Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control, said: "It's important for people to know that while smoking hand rolling tobacco may be cheaper it is every bit as toxic as ready-made cigarettes.

"This campaign dispels the dangerous myth, believed by many smokers, that hand-rolled cigarettes are more 'natural' and so less harmful than manufactured ones. Smoking hand rolling tobacco is just as harmful as cigarettes bought in packets."

Professor Lindsey Davies, President of the Faculty of Public Health said: "This is a ground-breaking campaign highlighting the dangers that hand rolling tobacco can cause. We fully endorse this campaign. Rolling your own presents as many risks as do normal cigarettes."

Smokefree South West has developed a brand new Wise-Up to Roll-Ups pack, in the style of a hand rolling tobacco pouch, containing information about hand rolling tobacco and quitting tools to aid smokers to quit hand rolling tobacco. Smokers can order a pouch, by texting WISE to a unique text number, 0800 028 0553, or by going online to our dedicated website www.wiseupandquit.co.uk Leaflets and posters will also be placed in GP surgeries across the South West.

South West now has lowest smoking rates in the country

New figures published show that the South West now has the lowest rates of smoking in the country. The area has recorded a 3% drop overall in its level of adult smoking with a massive 5% drop in smoking amongst women.

The South West now has an overall smoking rate of 18% which compares favourably to the national rate of 21%. The figures show:

• Smoking amongst women falling to 17% from 22% in 2008, again a significant distance below the national level of 20%.
• Smoking amongst men also saw a 2% drop to 19% to lie comfortably under the national average of 22%
• A substantial increase in the proportion of smokers who smoke mainly hand-rolled tobacco.

Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health and Smokefree South West spokesperson said:

"These new figures showcase the tremendous work being done across the South West to lower the rates of smoking amongst our residents. Our rates of smoking are now the benchmark for the country and the drop in female smokers is hugely encouraging.

"It is also a fantastic tribute to all former smokers who have had the courage to become smoke free. However, the top quality work cannot stop now. Smoking is still the single biggest contributor to health inequalities and premature death and disease in the UK."

These figures are published in Smoking and drinking among adults, 2009, a survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics as part of the General Lifestyle Survey.

The results follow-on from a boosted investment to tackle tobacco-related harm in 2008, and the successful launch of Smokefree South West in 2009. This has built on the work carried out by local Tobacco Action alliances working together to tackle tobacco-related harm in the South West."

Gabriel Scally added:

"The fact that more than 34,000 people quit smoking in the South West last year is something we should celebrate, and demonstrates that local people can have continued confidence to go to their local NHS Stop Smoking Service in the South West safe in the knowledge that these services have helped thousands before them."

Illegal Tobacco Action Plan Launched

The South of England Tackling Illegal Tobacco for Better Health programme was successfully launched at Sandy Park Conference & Banqueting Centre, Exeter on February 9th.

The event, which saw over 60 key partners from HMRC, Trading Standards, local authorities and health attend, showcased the vital work that is being undertaken to combat illegal tobacco.

There are almost a million smokers in the South West, of which a fifth smoke illegal tobacco (approximately 200,000). Smokers in the South West consume approximately 442 million illegal cigarettes .The demand for illegal tobacco in the South West is huge, with the total street value currently estimated at over £104 million per annum, equivalent to a retail value of £216 million.

The availability of illegal tobacco also contributes to the region's smoking rates, with 18 per cent of adults smoking.

A survey also revealed that:

• Of those smokers surveyed over two thirds (69 per cent) agreed that illegal tobacco made it possible for them to smoke when they could not otherwise afford to.
• Heavier smokers were more likely to purchase illegal tobacco; for example, almost a third (29%) of those who smoke over 20 a day get their supply this way, compared to 15% of light smokers (fewer than 10 per day).
• The most common source of illegal tobacco is from a 'friend' or someone they know (52%).

The launch was an opportunity to discuss partnership work across several organisations and put into place a plan that would have a direct impact in dealing with the damage illegal tobacco causes to communities in the South.

Andrea Dickens, Head of Policy and Development, Smokefree South West said:

"We now have a dynamic plan to help work towards curbing the influence of illegal tobacco in our area. It has so many negative effects across society that this type of partnership working is vital.

"This will be an ongoing initiative with our partners from HMRC, Trading Standards and other organisations. The South now has a unified way of making sure that we can stop what remains one of the biggest causes of health inequalities."

The event gained significant media interest from across the South including all major BBC regional news programmes, ITV WestCountry as well as BBC and independent radio stations. The launch of the action plan also figured widely in local newspapers across the South West highlighting the interest local communities have in this problem.