The history of cigarette use and other forms of smoking dates back thousands of years, specifically to the discovery of tobacco and its use in indigenous, religious ceremonies. By the mid-19th century, cigarette and cigar smoking had become commonplace, often celebrated and encouraged in various circumstances throughout the world. Today, however, “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK,” according to the National Health Services (NHS). Thus, it is now more important than ever to discuss the health risks of smoking and encourage treatment for those who are struggling.
At PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, we are no strangers to the health risks of smoking, whether it be through the use of traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or vapes. We provide residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation in several locations across the UK to help individuals heal from the devastating effects of smoking and other forms of alcohol and drug use. No matter the reason why an individual may feel compelled to continue substance use, we are here to provide professional guidance and support to ensure that each individual has the best chance of establishing and sustaining lasting abstinence and recovery.
Current Smoking Trends in the UK
First, understanding current smoking trends in the UK will help to provide context to an otherwise complex situation. Smoking habits in the UK have changed significantly over the last few decades, and fortunately, current trends note valuable reductions in the proportions of smokers in the UK over the last several years. Also, it is important to note that the following data represents the prevalence of those who smoke cigarettes as well as e-cigarettes and does not include those who smoke marijuana.
Per the data and analysis from Census 2021 announced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), “[T]he proportion of current smokers in the UK in 2022 was 12.9%, or 6.4 million people. This is a decrease from 2021 (13.3% of the population) . . . and is a [7.3%] decrease in current smokers compared with 2011 (20.2% of the population).”
While it is helpful to note these proportions of smokers in the UK as a whole, it can also be helpful to address the prevalence of smokers in each country. According to the same publication, “In the UK in 2022, England had the lowest proportion of current smokers with 12.7%, or 5.3 million people.” Additionally, “In 2022, the proportion of current smokers in Wales was 14.1% (around 340,000 people), in Northern Ireland the proportion was 14.0% (around 200,000 people), and in Scotland the proportion was 13.9% (around 590,000 people).”
In addressing these statistics, it is safe to say that there are millions of individuals across the UK who continue to struggle with dangerous smoking habits. Though there have been strides in reducing these prevalences, such as banning smoking in enclosed public spaces and places of work, there is still a long way to go in helping individuals truly grasp the health risks of smoking and, in turn, cease smoking habits altogether.
Future Direction of UK Parliament Smoking Policies
Most recently, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “announced his intention to introduce a new law that would prohibit the sale of cigarettes in England to individuals born after January 1, 2009,” according to an article from the Library of Congress. As the article explains:
The proposed law, which would phase out smoking by increasing the legal smoking age each year until it applies to the entire population, has been described as ‘the most significant public health intervention in a generation, saving tens of thousands of lives and saving the NHS billions of pounds.’
During this time the Parliament of the United Kingdom will work to enact this law, however, many lives will continue to be impacted by the health risks of smoking. Shedding light on the future of smoking in the UK helps to show promise for healing and recovery, but knowledge and education about these health risks are what will ultimately help individuals recognise their own need for treatment and sobriety sooner rather than later.
Addressing the Health Risks of Smoking
Undoubtedly, many people recognise that smoking is a harmful behaviour. Yet, only a small portion of individuals are actually aware of the specific risks of smoking, specifically its potential harm to well-being and quality of life. One of the most generalised risks of smoking is that it poses life-threatening consequences. As the NHS highlights, “Every year around 76,000 people in the UK die from smoking, with many more living with debilitating smoking-related illnesses.”
Increased Risk of Developing Various Types of Cancer
One of the most well-known risks of smoking is that it increases an individual’s risk of developing various types of cancer, especially lung cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines cancer as “diseases in which abnormal cells divide out of control and are able to invade other tissues.” Simply put, smoking can cause cancer as well as prevent one’s body from fighting it off. This is because cigarette smoke contains toxins that weaken the body’s immune system and damage existing healthy cells.
According to the National Insitute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Cigarette smoking has been linked to about [80-90%] of all cases of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, and it is responsible for roughly [80%] of deaths from this disease.” Additionally, “Smoking increases lung cancer risk five to tenfold, with greater risk among heavy smokers.”
In addition to lung cancer, NIDA highlights that smoking is also associated with cancers of the:
- Mouth
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Cervix
- Kidney
- Bladder
Increased Risk of Respiratory Illnesses and Lung Disease
Another inevitable health risk of smoking is that it increases the risk of developing respiratory illness and lung disease. As explained by the CDC, “Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs (alveoli) found in your lungs.” Further, damaged lungs can make an individual more vulnerable to the following conditions:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Pneumonia
- Asthma and chronic asthma attacks
- Other types of respiratory tract infections
Furthermore, NIDA notes that cigarette smoking is the most prominent risk factor for COPD. Despite research addressing the fact that ceasing smoking behaviour can help repair smoking-induced lung damage, COPD is irreversible once developed and, thus, related lung damage cannot be repaired over time. This highlights yet another one of the many risks of smoking that can lead to long-term harm.
Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Complications and Diseases
Some people may be familiar with the more obvious risks of smoking, like those aforementioned, yet be unfamiliar with other risks of smoking, like cardiovascular complications and diseases. Those who smoke experience an increased risk of these conditions, as smoking directly affects the heart and blood vessels.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), “The chemicals you inhale when you smoke cause damage to your heart and blood vessels that makes you more likely to develop atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries.” This build-up can lead to:
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Moreover, as NIDA states, “Smoking is also linked to many other major health conditions—including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, and impaired immune function.” It is essential to understand that the damage caused to the cardiovascular system from smoking can be long-lasting, yet the sooner an individual stops smoking, the better their health outcomes may be. As described in a publication by the CDC:
Smokers who quit start to improve their heart health and reduce their risk for CVD immediately. Within a year, the risk of heart attack drops dramatically, and even people who have already had a heart attack can cut their risk of having another if they quit smoking.
Additional Risks of Smoking
The CDC highlights several other health risks of smoking, including that it can make it harder for women to become pregnant. Smoking habits can also affect men’s sperm, resulting in reduced fertility and birth defects. In pregnant mothers, smoking can also increase the risk of:
- Preterm (early) delivery
- Stillbirth
- Low birth weight
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Orofacial clefts in infants
Further, smoking directly impacts bone health, which can lead to weakened bones and greater vulnerability to bone breaks. Other bone-related complications caused by smoking include tooth loss and decay.
Many people can avoid the fatal consequences of smoking by simply not smoking. However, it is important to understand that the aforementioned statistics likely also include deaths caused by passive smoking, otherwise referred to as secondhand smoking. Suppose these statistics do not include deaths caused by secondhand smoke and related causes. In that case, it is appropriate to assume that these numbers would be even higher and, thus, even more significant.
Risks of Smoking: Passive Smoking and Secondhand Smoke
People who do not smoke may find the lingering smell of secondhand smoke irritating or gross; however, many people are unaware of how harmful secondhand smoke can be to one’s health. According to the NHS, “Secondhand smoke is the smoke that you exhale plus the ‘sidestream’ smoke created by the lit end of your cigarette. . . Secondhand smoke is a lethal cocktail of more than 4,000 irritants, toxins and cancer-causing substances.” Not only is secondhand smoke unpleasant to non-smokers, but it can also be especially damaging to their health.
One publication by BMJ sought to estimate the number of deaths caused by passive smoking in the hospitality industry, general workforce, and general population of the UK. The results of this publication are as follows:
Across the United Kingdom as a whole, passive smoking at work is likely to be responsible for the deaths of more than two employed people per working day (617 deaths per year), including 54 deaths in the hospitality industry each year. Each year passive smoking at home might account for another 2700 deaths in persons aged 20-64 years and 8000 deaths among people aged ≥ 65.
Now, it is necessary to point out that although these results were published in 2005, they address the complexities of smoking culture in entire countries. Said differently, they shed light on the fact that any type of substance use affects more than just the population of those who use it; rather, it affects entire countries and nations as a whole.
In addition to the increased risk of death, those affected by secondhand smoke may also develop similar diseases as smokers, including various types of cancer and even heart disease. Secondhand smoke can have different effects on individuals in different age groups. For instance, children who are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes may develop harmful respiratory effects, including lower levels of lung function and growth, ongoing symptoms of wheeziness and breathlessness, and chronic lung conditions like cancer and asthma. In addition, children are also vulnerable to developing associated chest infections, meningitis, ear infections, and weakened immune systems overall.
On the other hand, research has shown that secondhand smoke is as dangerous in adults as smoking and, can increase the risk of the following, in addition to cancer and heart disease:
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Tuberculosis
Avoid the Health Risks of Smoking With Sobriety
According to NIDA, “Quitting smoking results in immediate health benefits, and some or all of the reduced life expectancy can be recovered depending on the age a person quits.” Understanding the health risks of smoking may serve as motivation for individuals to slow or cease smoking behaviours, ultimately working to establish and sustain lives of sobriety. Ceasing smoking is often easier said than done, especially for those who feel that smoking is habitual for them.
As the health risks of smoking have become well-documented in the last few decades, many organisations and facilities have curated specialised services to help individuals quit smoking for good. For example, the NHS highlights local one-to-one and group stop-smoking sessions here.
In addition, the NHS explains that with the right help, individuals can feel confident in their ability to sustain a smoke-free life. Some of the suggestions they offer include:
- Vaping to quit smoking: Noting that while vaping is not risk-free, evidence shows that vaping exposes individuals to far fewer toxins and lower levels than cigarettes
- Utilising stop-smoking aids: Such as nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gum and lozenges, nicotine vapes, and prescription-only medicines
- Finding local stop-smoking services: In addition to those highlighted above, consider seeking out local treatment centres such as PCP – The Perry Clayman Project
Ceasing Smoke with Rehab Today
We at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project recognise how challenging it can be to cease smoking habits, even once educated about the health risks of smoking. Fortunately, we offer the professional support and guidance that individuals need to successfully cease smoking behaviours and heal from the aforementioned risks of smoking to achieve a lifetime of health and happiness.
We have five locations across the UK and a variety of programmes and stages to meet individuals and families where they are at in their journey to substance abuse and behavioural health recovery. Some of the services we offer as part of our programmes include:
- 1-2-1 counselling
- Group counselling
- Skill-building groups
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP)
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Yoga therapy
- Aftercare
Those seeking recovery from addiction may benefit most from our 90-day (12-week) programme, as this provides an ample amount of time for individuals to walk through the 12-Step programme, one step per week. Using the full 12 weeks to learn and adopt the programme ensures that individuals have the education and confidence they need to sustain lasting recovery and sobriety beyond the walls of treatment. Additionally, we offer four-week and eight-week programme formats to ensure that we can effectively meet the needs of each client we serve.
Despite the fact that smoking behaviours have been around for thousands of years, they can cause life-threatening risks to one’s health and well-being. Some of the most concerning risks of smoking include an increased risk of various types of cancers, respiratory illnesses and lung disease, cardiovascular complications and diseases, weakened immune systems, and the potential for irreversible harm to others caused by secondhand smoke. Individuals can avoid the risks of smoking by ceasing smoking behaviours altogether and utilising professional treatment. We at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project understand that this is easier said than done, and we are here to support and guide clients as they secure sobriety and healing. Learn more by calling PCP at 08000 380 480 today.