Latest news with #smoking
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
The three lifestyle factors putting a million UK adults at risk of dying early
About a million people in England are putting themselves at risk of dying early because they are overweight and combine drinking too much and smoking, research has found. The 'triple threat' disproportionately raises their risk of diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke, Type-2 diabetes, liver disease and mental health conditions, experts warn. One doctor said the combination may cut 20 years from someone's life. Analysis of a Health Survey for England by charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found that 22 per cent of adults in England – at least 10 million people – have two or more of the three risk factors. About 2 per cent – a million adults – fall into all three categories. Public-health experts warned two years ago that high levels of obesity, excessive drinking and health inequalities were costing the economy £15bn a year. Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said each of the three habits carried a risk, but when combined the danger is exaggerated. 'These poor health outcomes are not only avoidable, but they also place a huge and growing strain on the NHS and our economy,' he said. "We urgently need a joined-up approach to public health policymaking that tackles these issues together, rather than in isolation, if we are to see the much-needed governmental shift from sickness to prevention.' The combined effects of smoking, drinking and being overweight are often greater than the sum of individual risks, studies have shown. The new analysis of 2021 data also found that: ● 5.9 million people (13 per cent of adults) have factors of being overweight or obesity and drinking ● 2.5 million (6 per cent of adults) are overweight or obese and smoke ● 0.6 million (1 per cent of adults) drink and smoke without being overweight Prof Gilmore, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians, told The Guardian it was likely that smoking, grade three obesity and heavy drinking would reduce life expectancy by at least 20 years. Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: 'These are not issues of individual behaviour, but issues of industry behaviour or tactics. 'Behind the statistics on smoking, alcohol and unhealthy food-related disease lie multi-million-pound industries that operate in darkly similar ways – producing, marketing and selling products that damage our wellbeing. 'The government will not be able to meet its ambition of shifting from prevention to treatment until it recognises this.' Caroline Cerny, the deputy chief executive of Ash, said the government's forthcoming 10-year plan was an opportunity to 'get a firm grip on the causes of ill health that are shortening the lives of people and placing a huge strain on the NHS'. She called for targets to cut smoking, drinking and excess weight, introducing minimum-unit pricing of alcohol in England and extending the sugar tax. Health secretary Wes Streeting is next week due to unveil his 10-year plan for the NHS, aimed at tackling inequalities through fundamental reforms, and measures such as sending health workers door-to-door. People will be urged to monitor their own health with technology such as smart watches that monitor blood pressure and glucose levels. The Department of Health and Social Care was approached for comment but a spokesperson told The Guardian ministers were committed to tackling obesity through a ban on the advertising of junk food on television before 9pm and a planned new food strategy. They also an extra £310m had been put to treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, while the Tobacco and Vapes Bill phases out the sale of cigarettes.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Smoking, drinking too much and being overweight ‘puts one in 50 adults in England at risk of early death'
One in 50 people aged 16 or older in England is at risk of an early death because they smoke, drink too much and are overweight, research has found. This 'triple threat' increases the risk of diseases such as cancer and diabetes and in some cases dying as much as 20 years earlier than they should, a senior doctor has said. About 1 million people in England are living with that threat, an analysis of the Health Survey for England by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) revealed. They are the 2.2% of the population who use tobacco, drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week and are overweight or obese, as judged by having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more. However, 10 million – 22% of the population – exhibit two of the three risky behaviours, Ash found, while 33.9 million (73.6%) have at least one risk factor. Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, the chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: 'It is staggering that as many as one in 50 adults in England are at a much higher risk of dying because of the combination of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food. 'Smoking, alcohol and excess weight each significantly increase the risk of serious health problems like cancer, heart disease and liver disease. When these risk factors are combined, the danger to people's health is even greater, leading to higher chances of early death and more years in poor health. 'Together they create a toxic combination that can lead to long-term disability and early death.' A lifelong smoking habit reduces someone's life expectancy by about 10 years and grade three obesity – being severely obese with a BMI of more than 40 – does so by a similar amount. The UK's four chief medical officers recommend that no one drinks more than 14 units of alcohol a week. Gilmore, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians, added: 'Although the risks of two or more risk factors are not purely additive, it is likely that smoking, grade three obesity and heavy drinking will reduce life expectancy by at least 20 years.' Ash also found that: 12.7% of people in England (5.9 million) are overweight and drink more than 14 units but do not smoke. 5.5% (2.5 million) are overweight and smoke but drink less than 14 units. 1.4% (600,000) smoke and drink more than 14 units but have a normal weight. Caroline Cerny, the deputy chief executive of Ash, said: 'The findings are extremely worrying. They provide an insight into the challenges facing the NHS both now and in the future.' The burden of illness in England is rising due to the ageing and growing population and impact of lifestyle-related conditions linked to smoking, drinking and poor diet. Research by the Health Foundation has found that 9 million more people will be living with conditions such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, kidney disease and depression by 2040. Cerny urged Wes Streeting, the health secretary, to include robust measures to improve public health in the government's forthcoming 10-year plan for the NHS. They should include targets to cut smoking, alcohol consumption and overweight, introducing minimum unit pricing of alcohol in England and extending the sugar tax to other unhealthy foods, she said. The Department of Health and Social Care did not comment directly on the findings. A spokesperson said the 10-year health plan, due next Thursday, would shift the NHS from treatment to prevention. Ministers are committed to tackling obesity through a ban on the advertising of junk food on TV before 9pm and a planned new food strategy, they said. They also cited the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, an increase in the public health grant and an extra £310m for treatment of drug and alcohol addiction as evidence of the government's action on public health.
Health Line
3 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Can You Smoke Magic Mushrooms?
Dried shrooms can be crushed into a powder and smoked in a joint. Some people also put purified psilocybin crystals into pipes. But neither of these options is a great idea. It's hard to say for sure what happens when you smoke shrooms. There's not really any research on the subject, so the only reports out there are from people who've blazed up and shared their experience on forums like Reddit. A handful of shroom smokers say it produces a mild high, but nothing close to a trip like you'd get from popping a handful of caps or drinking a tea preparation. Most others, however, report it as a total waste of time with no effects, apart from some nausea. The absence of any psychological effects could come down to temperature. Psilocybin breaks down at high temperatures, so lighting up shrooms basically kills the main ingredient responsible for the trippy effects. Is it dangerous to smoke shrooms? There are several risks to consider when it comes to smoking shrooms. Then, there are the general risks associated with taking shrooms. General smoking risks For one, any type of smoke is bad for your health. All smoke contains harmful toxins and particulates that can damage lung tissue and blood vessels, and increase the risk of lung cancer. If you smoke shrooms mixed with tobacco, you tack on all the risks associated with that, too. Mold spores Smoking shrooms also carries extra risk for your lungs by way of mold spores. Inhaling certain types of mold increases your risk of lung inflammation and infections. Inhaling certain mold species can have serious health consequences if you have a mold allergy, a preexisting lung condition, or a weakened immune system. Bad trips If you do happen to experience any of the psychoactive effects of psilocybin after smoking, keep in mind that bad trips are a possibility when you do shrooms. A bad trip can include disturbing or downright frightening hallucinations, panic, and trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality. Physical side effects Shrooms can cause some unpleasant physical effects, too, including: increased heart rate and blood pressure nausea and vomiting increased body temperature abdominal cramps and diarrhea muscle weakness uncoordinated movement Psychological side effects When taken in higher doses, shrooms and other hallucinogens alter your perception of reality, which may lead you to do things you wouldn't normally do. While you're unlikely to have much of a trip from smoking shrooms, it's still a possibility to be prepared for. Are there other ways to consume shrooms? Mushrooms are mostly ingested orally, either dry or fresh. Some people eat them as-is, while others add them to other foods. They're also often steeped in boiling water or tea. Some people get fancy with their fungi and dip them in chocolate or add them to soups, smoothies, or milkshakes. Though not as common, some people grind dried shrooms into powder and snort them. Based on first-hand reports online, this isn't recommended. What can you do to reduce your risk of unwanted effects? There's no such thing as completely safe substance use (or smoking, for that matter), but there are some things you can do to reduce certain risks. If you're going to take shrooms, consider these tips: Choose a different method: Seriously, smoking's generally not the way to go, especially when it comes to shrooms. You probably won't feel anything. Plus, you could end up inhaling harmful spores. Mind your dose: You should start with the lowest dose possible before gradually working your way up. Hallucinogens can be unpredictable, and higher doses increase the chances of a bad trip and adverse effects. Don't hold your inhale: Inhaling deeply and holding the inhale exposes your lungs to toxins for longer periods. If you're going to smoke shrooms, exhale right away. Have a trip-sitter: You should have at least one sober and trustworthy person who can step up if you trip out and need help. Pick the right time: Your mood plays a role in your experience when it comes to psychedelics. No matter how you do shrooms, make sure you do them only when you're in a positive head space. Pick the right place: Somewhere safe and familiar is the way to go. It'll help you relax and keep you safe should you hallucinate or get anxious. Stay hydrated: Shrooms can raise your body temperature and dry out your mouth. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your trip. It may also help with the comedown. Eat something: Shrooms tend to cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, especially when you eat them. You can reduce your chances of this happening by eating something first. Don't mix: Mixing substances is generally a bad idea because it makes the effects even more unpredictable. This goes for alcohol, too. When to get help Above all, make sure you know how to spot trouble. Call 911 or your local emergency services right away if you or someone else experiences: trouble breathing irregular heartbeat aggression seizures
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'You don't want to live like a nun' Helen Mirren issues life advice to younger generation
Dame Helen Mirren has advised the younger generation to avoid smoking, but insisted they shouldn't "live like a nun" either. The 79-year-old actress is gearing up for her 80th birthday next month, and while she is against smoking, she also encouraged the youth of today to "do everything, but don't do too much of anything". When issuing advice to youngsters, she told Grazia magazine: "Don't smoke, that's rule number one and do everything, but don't do too much of anything - that's a great way of looking at things, because it's important to take care of your health, but you also don't want to live like a nun." The MobLand star has been a household name for years, but she is still pleasantly surprised when someone approaches her to tell her she is "great". She said: "It always surprises me when someone comes up to me in a supermarket or an airport and says that they think I'm great, but it's lovely. "This sort of thing is fun, it's fabulous, it's fantastic. It doesn't feel right to say that I'm proud of being a role model to people, but it's a great feeling." Helen admitted one of her luxuries in life is buying make-up and then heading home to spend "hours" applying her new purchases. But the star doesn't like it when her favourite products are discontinued. She added: "My idea of a treat is going into a drugstore and buying myself another lip liner. "I sit at my little desk at home and can spend hours putting my make-up on, it's something I've always loved to do. "It's not that I don't like trying new products, the innovation is amazing, but it's heart-breaking when you hit on a foundation or a mascara that you love - the golden chalice - only to find out a few years later that it has been discontinued."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The invisible killers lurking in YOUR home: A shocking new experiment lays bare exactly how everyday items like deodorant, air fryers and even pets are damaging our health
We all know the dangers of leading a sedentary lifestyle, smoking tobacco and sunbathing without sunscreen. But many of us may not realise that one of the biggest health threats comes from an invisible killer – the polluted air that we breathe.
