Director of Public Health Annual Report 2012 [pdf] - Stoke-on-Trent ...

The percentage <strong>of</strong> adults (aged 16 and over) who had quit smoking at four weeks in NHS
<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent in 2011/<strong>2012</strong> was 50.1% (compared with 49.1% in England). This means
that <strong>of</strong> the 6,477 local people who set a four week quit date, 3,248 had quit smoking at four
weeks, which is the highest number <strong>of</strong> quitters in NHS <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent since 2005/2006. It is
also the first time that over 50% <strong>of</strong> local people who set a quit date had quit smoking at four
weeks, and it is also the first time that the percentage <strong>of</strong> quitters in NHS <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent is
higher than the percentage in England.
Smoking in the home
Around 27% <strong>of</strong> young people in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent are exposed to second hand smoke in their
own homes, and nearly 50% in the car. Exposure to second hand smoke can lead to
respiratory illness, glue ear and worsened asthma as well contributing to sleep disturbance
and behavioural problems. Children living with a smoker are also three times more likely to
take up smoking themselves. Therefore, while quitting smoking is always promoted as the
'gold standard', if parents and carers do not feel ready or able to quit, they are provided with
information and support to make their homes smoke-free.
Smoking and young people
Around 8% <strong>of</strong> 11-16 year olds in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent are ‘regular smokers’ compared with 5%
nationally. Nearly 50% <strong>of</strong> young people have tried smoking, and the majority have done so
before the age <strong>of</strong> 15. The younger the age <strong>of</strong> uptake <strong>of</strong> smoking, the greater the harm is
likely to be because this is associated with subsequent heavier smoking, higher levels <strong>of</strong>
dependency, a lower chance <strong>of</strong> quitting, and higher mortality. Child and adolescent smoking
causes serious risks to respiratory health both in the short and long-term. Children who
smoke are two to six times more susceptible to coughs and increased phlegm, wheeziness
and shortness <strong>of</strong> breath than those who do not smoke 5 .
In 2009, 16% <strong>of</strong> 11-16 year olds said they “didn’t remember” any lessons on smoking, drug
use and alcohol in school. Since then two Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Advisors have been in
place to develop up-to-date, effective educational materials and training to support schools
to deliver tobacco prevention systematically across the curriculum. In addition to this, an
evidence-based peer-support programme has been commissioned which has been shown to
reduce significantly the rate <strong>of</strong> smoking amongst young people.
Smoking during pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy harms an unborn baby and will <strong>of</strong>ten result in both short and
long-term health problems for children. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risks <strong>of</strong>
miscarriage, the baby being stillborn, having a
low birth weight, being at increased risk <strong>of</strong> cot
death and having an increased risk <strong>of</strong> respiratory
Smoking during pregnancy harms an
unborn baby
disease. Smoking during pregnancy is also a major contributor to higher infant mortality
rates among families from routine and manual socioeconomic groups. Encouraging
expectant mothers (and fathers) to stop smoking around the time <strong>of</strong> conception, during and
after pregnancy, remains a top public health priority.
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