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Irish Times
10-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
From 20 cigarettes a day for 55 years to finally quitting: ‘I took it up, thinking I was the big man'
For 55 years, Mick Staunton smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day. His wife, Olivia, wasn't far behind him, having taken up smoking 46 years ago and smoking at least 10 a day ever since. However, proving that you are never too old to quit, the Roscommon couple have finally ditched the habit and are feeling much healthier as a result. 'I took it up, like every young fella, thinking I was the big man,' said the 74-year-old. 'Olivia (71) was similar, and with the two of us smoking, it became harder and harder to quit, even though we tried a few times.' The retired garda says that he and his wife, who used to work in the Civil Service, attempted to stop smoking on numerous occasions throughout their lives, but knew they needed support to stop for good. READ MORE 'Whenever I tried, I would only last a few months before going back on them [cigarettes] and Olivia was the same,' said the father of five. 'We tried to go cold turkey and were using sweets and chewing gum whenever we wanted a cigarette, but they were a poor substitute. So last year we contacted the [ HSE ] QUIT team and the support we got was the biggest thing to help us through.' More than 17 per cent of the Irish population are smokers, with 14 per cent smoking daily, and 4 per cent occasionally. With 20 per cent of the 25- to 34-year-old age bracket smoking, this demographic has the highest number of smokers. However, these figures have declined since the first Healthy Ireland Survey in 2015, when the figure was 32 per cent. This decrease could be down to more available supports, as, according to the HSE, smokers are four times more likely to quit successfully if they use a combination of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of sprays, mists, lozenges and patches, along with support from a 'stop smoking adviser'. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death and significantly impacts physical and mental health, so giving up can lead to improved health, reduced disease risk, and better overall wellbeing, including increased life expectancy and reduced stress. 'Smoking is dangerous, and the odds facing people who smoke are stark - 1 in 2 will die of a smoking-related disease; on average, people who smoke will die 10 years earlier and are at increased risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, lung disease and many other debilitating diseases,' said Dr Paul Kavanagh, HSE public health consultant and clinical adviser to the Tobacco Free Ireland Programme. [ Smoking ban has important lessons for Ireland's approach to climate issues Opens in new window ] However, Dr Kavanagh says it's not all bad news, as these odds can be changed when people stop smoking. 'We see changes in physiological measures like heart rate, blood pressure and exhaled carbon monoxide within days; breathing and exercise tolerance will improve within weeks; and over the coming months and years, the risk of smoking-related disease reduces dramatically.' Mick Staunton with his wife Olivia in their garden in Castlerea. Photograph: Arthur Ellis According to the HSE, other health benefits include increased life expectancy as smoking takes an average of 10 to 15 years off a person's life, reduced risk of life-threatening diseases, improved respiratory function, circulation and oxygen levels, and better skin, teeth and hair. Quitting smoking also helps with improved mood and reduces feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Giving up also helps to improve fertility, reduces risk of pregnancy complications, offers protection for loved ones from second-hand smoke and creates financial savings as it can 'free up a significant amount of money'. Research from Healthy Ireland Statistics shows that 17 per cent of the population smokes cigarettes, while another 8 per cent uses e-cigarettes, either daily or occasionally. These figures have not changed since 2023, and Martina Blake, national lead for the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, says NRTs can help more people to quit. 'These licensed medicines safely give you just enough nicotine to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while reducing your dependence on nicotine gradually,' she said. 'They help you to cope with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but do not contain the poisonous and cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke, such as tar and carbon monoxide.' [ Quitting smoking isn't easy, but these tricks could help Opens in new window ] Men remain more likely to smoke than women (20 per cent of men smoke as opposed to 15 per cent of women), and Mick Staunton says it's never too late to think about giving up. 'We both wish we did it years ago, as we're flying it now.'
BBC News
01-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
'The ban on single-use disposable vapes has convinced me to quit'
A woman who has vaped for more than four years says she will use Sunday's ban on selling single-use disposables as an excuse to finally kick the Hunter said she started vaping before and after she stopped smoking traditional cigarettes, but describes it as "a nasty habit".The 28-year-old, from Nottingham, said the ban on selling some items that comes into force from the start of June is an impetus for quitting hopes it will help her save money and become healthier as a result. "I'm quite excited - I'm happy to have an excuse to finally quit and get away from it," she said."It's a perfect excuse, it's a perfect time, it's a waste of money, and a nasty habit."While one study released last month suggested the use of certain vapes was falling ahead of the ban, some shops in Nottingham have reported bulk-buying of single-use disposables before it becomes Ms Hunter, the temptation to keep coils spare and carry on vaping was never there, and she said she will "go for a run" rather than reach for a vape if she needs to relieve said she hopes the ban will bring "an effective change" in reducing litter and helping the environment, and added it was also helping persuade friends, colleagues and even her father to drop the habit."He's been waiting for an excuse to finish for a while, so he's been waiting for this ban [and] he's been counting down the days so he can say 'oh no, what a shame, now I have to stop'," Ms Hunter said."Pretty much everyone that I know is more than happy to put it down and use this as a final excuse to push them over the edge to quit."
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
5 ways smoking causes damage beyond lungs and heart, and issues from herpes to infertility
Are you a smoker – or does someone you love smoke? If so, you, or they, have almost certainly had family, friends or colleagues give them reasons to stop. Advertisement On World No Tobacco Day, we are reminded that most smokers themselves would like to quit – even if they will not admit it. In 2022, more than two-thirds (67.7 per cent) of the 28.8 million US adults who smoked cigarettes wanted to quit, more than half (53.3 per cent) tried to quit, but fewer than 10 per cent succeeded, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Grisly photos on cigarette packs warn of smoking's dangers , but do not go far enough, says Tony Mok, professor of clinical oncology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Health warnings on cigarette packs. Some say they aren't enough to deter people from lighting up. Photo: Elizabeth Cheung 'The horrid pictures are merely a visual tool, but not an educational one,' he says. 'The potential harm [from] tobacco smoking is too extensive to be listed on cigarette packets.' Advertisement
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Learn how to improve your health and your wealth
Bolton's Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector are invited to support smokers across the borough in signing up for free quit smoking programmes and reap financial benefits as a result. The unique initiative from Bolton Council, which is funded from Government grants to eradicate smoking, incentivises VCSEs to make a meaningful impact on the health of Bolton residents, helping more local people quit smoking, improving their health and helping to keep more money in their pockets. Thousands of smokers come into contact with VCSEs every week in Bolton, offering a trusted source of support for many local people. This initiative provides a starting point to support smokers in their attempts to quit, helping smokers overcome the burden of tobacco addiction, improving their health, becoming financially better off, boosting their mental health, and leading longer, healthier lives. READ MORE: Bolton Council has commissioned local stop smoking service provider ABL Health (Your Health Bolton) to deliver this initiative in collaboration with the VCSE sector and Bolton CVS. Smokers referred will receive ABL Health's fully funded 12-week quit programme, which includes free stop smoking support, vape starter kits, and nicotine replacement therapies. Cllr Jackie Schofield, Executive Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at Bolton Council said: 'This Government funding is an important opportunity to help people break the habit and quit smoking for good. 'Nicotine is highly addictive and tobacco products can be difficult to give up, but smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with professional support than going it alone, 'This new referral incentive will encourage more people to give quitting a try which improves their health and wealth, and also boosts our amazing voluntary and charitable organisations who can do even more incredible jobs" target="_blank">work across the borough.' Raz Mohammed, the Divisional Operations Lead & Head of Communities at ABL Health said: 'This is a new initiative designed to support community organisations in Bolton to refer smokers who want to stop smoking into the stop smoking service. 'We are proud to be part of the VCSE stop smoking scheme and proud to support the health and well-being of the people of Bolton.' Amina Ali, a Community Hub Coordinator at the domestic abuse charity Endeavour, praised the initiative with ABL Health stating: 'I think that the VCSE scheme is essential to helping people stop smoking. 'By offering the vape kit and fluids for free people have a chance to see the financial benefits of stopping smoking. 'One participant in my stop smoking group has not smoked a single cigarette since starting on his vape and has now booked a holiday'. All local VCSE organisations are asked to register as referrers via the website or call (01204) 205090.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I was left with horrific fourth-degree burns after trying habit of 17m Americans for first time
A Tennessee woman suffered horrific fourth-degree burns after an e-cigarette blew up in her face. Cherylee Parker had only take up vaping that very day after deciding to quit cigarettes after nearly four decades. Your browser does not support iframes.
