Whether you are thinking of starting a family, are about to become grandparents or already have a family, Quiting smoking is the right decision. you have chosen to quit, and we are right behind you all the way. We have some very useful web links to help you on your way to a smoke free life. Good Luck and warm wishes. If you have a story to tell or a message of support for others, please email the site and we will publish your message here.
British Lung Foundation is calling for your support to get politicians committed to reducing the number of children exposed to passive smoke in cars
Are you a passionate mother with something to say? Do you feel strongly about the fact that in Britain it’s still legal to light up and smoke a cigarette in a car in front of children?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above and want to help the British Lung Foundation to persuade the Government to protect children once and for all, then you can make a huge difference by writing to your MP with help from your child to show the politicians that enough is enough.
The BLF has secured support from all parties and with your help, they are determined to get a commitment by the Public Health Minister or Secretary of State for Health to commence a behaviour change campaign to reduce the health risk to children caused by passive smoking in cars, over the next two years children’s exposure will be monitored with a view that if it isn’t reduced, legislation will become a serious consideration by 2013.
Every year over 300,000 children in the UK go to their GPs with illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia as a result of being exposed to passive smoking.
Smoking around children in the car is particularly dangerous as it is such a confined space. Over half of children aged 8 – 15 say they have been exposed to cigarette smoke in the car. Research by the University of Aberdeen has shown that smoking in a car exposes children to the same levels of smoke in a busy smoke filled pub.
You and you children can help highlight these shocking statistics by writing to your local MP to encourage them to alert the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Anne Milton with a view to ensure a proper evaluation of the behaviour change programme in England, and to commit to legislation if it is not successful.
Visit: www.lunguk.orgfor more information and to download a template letter.
Study highlights deadly consequences of passive smoking, says heart charity
Around one in every 100 deaths worldwide every year is a result of passive smoking, according to a new study.
The research found that around 603,000 deaths worldwide were due to second hand smoke. By far the largest cause was heart disease which accounted for 379,000 of those deaths. The study is the first to assess the global impact of second hand smoke.
Betty McBride, Policy & Communications Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:
“Breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke has deadly consequences. This study is ample proof that we were right to introduce the ban on smoking in public places in this country.
“These figures should make smokers stop and think about the impact they’re having on other people’s health, particularly children’s. They should also serve as encouragement to government to go further and promote smoke free homes and cars.”
The research was published in The Lancet and looked at data from 192 countries.
So your'e thinking about Quitting smoking?
Here are just a few ideas to keep you motivated.
1. Think about how proud your family will be when you have made the change, and made a fresh start! 2. Work out how much money you would normally spend on cigarettes in just 6 months. OK so you will be making a massive saving, put that figure on your fridge door to remind you of just how much you are saving. (And decide what to spend the extra money on too!) 3. I think most people know about the health risks; disability, or death caused by cancer, heart disease, and lung diseases. 4. Improve your fertility and your chances of a healthy pregnancy, and healthy baby. Reduce the chances of your children suffering from asthma, or glue ear.
www.gosmokefree.co.uk is a great place to look for advice on giving up. 5. Why not start a giving up club with friends, and family to give each other support. 6. Think of the stale smoke smells, wouldn't it be nice to feel fresh, and breath more easily! 7. Keep a giving up diary, and set yourself targets. Give yourself a treat every time you reach a target, like your first month, or even a little treat at the end of each week. Make your treat a non food treat, like a new top, or a new item of make up, or for a guy a new shirt, game or DVD at the end of the month. 8. Why not go the whole hog and change your lifestyle. Take the kids out more often to the park, leave the car at home and walk to school, get on your bikes, join a gym, take the kids swimming. There are lots of ways to get active, and as they say every little helps! A change in eating habits also helps you to quit, so try to eat more fruit and veg. Snack on some pre-prepared fruit and veg, try some carrot sticks and apple slices, tangerines, or walnuts with some raisins and pumpkin seeds in a tupper ware container if you feel like munching in-between meals. 9. Good luck, and remember it's a great life changing challenge, but one that your family will thank you for in years to come! 10. England’s public places went smokefree on July 1st 2007. It is illegal to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces. For more information log onto www.smokefreeengland.co.uk 11. Go on make a fresh start!
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* Serious Quitters. Know the reasons why · Know the options · Know what to ask · Know what to do next · Click here for your free STOP SMOKING Calendar
