City tops smoking death statistics
PLYMOUTH has the highest rate of premature deaths due to smoking in the South West, according to a new report.
More than 28 per cent of all male deaths and 20 per cent of female deaths among 35 to 69-year-olds in the city – some 462 deaths over the last two-year recorded period – are caused by smoking, the figures reveal.
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The report, published by the South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO) this week, draws direct links between tobacco-related deaths and areas of deprivation.
The highest number of such deaths occur in eight wards throughout the region, six of them in Plymouth – Honicknowle, St Peter and the Waterfront, St Budeaux, Devonport, Stoke and Southway.
Russ Moody, NHS Plymouth Stop Smoking Service manager, described the figures as 'unsurprising' and said a lot of work is being done to combat the problem.
He said: "There's a lot of factors that contribute to premature death but probably the most significant one is smoking.
"Plymouth has one of the highest smoking rates in the South West and I think this is reflected in premature death rates.
"We are doing a lot to help the situation and have one of the best stop smoking services nationally. More than 4,000 people come to us a year for help."
He added the service expects to help record figures over the coming year, as factors such as the smoking ban and changes in cigarette packaging encourage more people to quit.
The SWPHO data suggests between 2003 and 2005, 462 died prematurely of smoking-related illnesses in Plymouth. 'Prematurely' is classed as between the ages of 35 and 69.
The city's smoking-related death rate of 44 people per 10,000 people is the highest in the South West and is 'significantly higher' than expected, the report states.
The report also says males account for around two thirds of all smoking-related premature deaths in the region.
Lung cancer and heart disease are estimated to account for half of such deaths in both men and women in the South West.
The report, entitled What a Waste, concludes: "Despite a huge range of policies and measures to reduce the prevalence of tobacco smoking in the South West, the estimates presented in this bulletin suggest tobacco smoking still exerts a significant health burden."
The report states the observatory will undertake a detailed examination of smoking-related mortality rates and deprivation.
The SWPHO is a regional health monitoring group.
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by Ken, Saltash Passage
Friday, October 03 2008, 4:55PM
“Abi I smoked for 36 years 20 a day like you thought I would never be able to give it up 8 months ago I went to My GP and asked for Champix you start taking it while smoking then while smoking you set yourself a quit day 10 days ahead and on that day you stop it does work, if i can do it after 36 years so can you all my Friends and Family have been totally shocked, (you given up smoking the world must be ending/is nothing sacred) comments like that but I did I just decided I didnt want to do it anymore and if I can so can you Abi I cant stand the smell how did I do this for so long, if you smoke while on Champix you feel very sick light headed etc the fear of feeling so unwell if you light up makes you not want to do it I was on them for 7 weeks and just stopped taking them and yes on occasions when stressed I think I could do with a cigarette now and then think NO i dont give it try for your Babies sake Good Luck you can do it.”
by Paul Harris, Harmony Healthchecks, Plymouth
Friday, October 03 2008, 12:36AM
“We have both smokers and non smokers as private health check clients, although, most of of them are non smokers. The smokers are often not ready to give up but it is important that they are given an idea of their current lung function, and the knowledge that smoking will increase the rate of lung function decline. We recommend the NHS stop smoking service who have many staff that are well trained in smoking cessation techniques.”
by Stuart Adamson, Mutton Cove
Thursday, October 02 2008, 10:24PM
“Let's face it,it's a deprived area disease and yet the people that can less afford to set fire to their money are the very people who choose to do so - I see it every day in Devonport, it's not necessarily their fault but the less educated and less intelligent are the ones who smoke the most - sad but true, but they choose that life style, i feel sorry for their kids whom they influence into thinking their lifestyle is the norm and all they can aspire to - which is how they got to that state themselves as their very own parents were probably the templates for them. My mother smoked herself to death and she admitted it was stupid at the end, but it was too late for her - and I fear for most smokers they have the "well it won't happen to me" attitude but the statistics don't bear that out - smoke and die young, it's a simple fact.”
by RobRoy, The Delta Quadrant
Thursday, October 02 2008, 9:23PM
“Pull up a bollard and I'll tell 'ee a story.....
In the Navy we always referred to dockyard workers as 'Jan Dockies', only in Devonport, not the other dockyards. This is a friendly term, for we valued their skills and assistance. It was surprising what extras you could get done in your mess in exchange for 200 fags. On the other hand, in Portsmouth (that toilet up the coast) they were just 'bloody civvies'!”
by Molly, Sutton
Thursday, October 02 2008, 5:51PM
“SK, google 'Janner TextBook' for more detail. Incidently although i am amused by the story about Devonport's parachuted labour member i have also heard reports that suggest that she was not so ignorant as the anecdote referred to on the Wikipedia entry for Janners makes out. Please note that janner is not a term of abuse, quite the reverse and it is often used affectionately as in Jannerdrome the commonly used nickname for Roborough airfield.”