No Smoking Day: Quitting smoking will reduce risk of dementia
Wed 8th March 2023
People who smoke in the East Riding are being urged to give quitting a go ahead of No Smoking Day (8 March), as research shows those who smoke are more likely to develop dementia.
The annual awareness day encourages smokers to make a quit attempt and this year the aim is to raise awareness that stopping smoking protects a person's brain health.
According to Alzheimer's Research UK, dementia is the most feared health condition for people over the age of 55 – more than any other life-threatening disease including cancer and diabetes.
YouGov data, commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), revealed that only 14 percent of people who smoke know that smoking increases the risk of dementia, compared to 80 percent who know that smoking causes lung diseases or cancers.
Smoking raises the risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, as it harms the vascular system - heart and blood vessels - and the brain. Studies also suggest that quitting smoking reduces this risk substantially, and smoking has been identified as one of twelve risk factors that if eliminated entirely, could collectively prevent or delay up to 40 percent of dementia cases.
Councillor Kerri Harold, portfolio holder for adults, health and wellbeing said:
“I’m pleased that this year’s No Smoking Day is highlighting the impact smoking can have on brain health.
"It is important that people know that stopping smoking is one of the things they can do to help reduce the risk of dementia.
"Over the last year, 62 percent of people in East Riding who contacted our local services for support have managed to quit smoking. So i'd encourage people to make contact with our local support services."
Smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from a trained professional, than with willpower alone.
Across the East Riding there is a range of support to stop including nicotine replacement therapy and free local and personal support.
Visit the East Riding Healthier Futures website to find out where you can get free access to the latest quitting aids, apps, information, one-to-one advice, and local support.
