More Reasons to Quit Smoking
Two new studies will be of interest to prospective vapers.
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by Dave Cross
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A University of Helsinki study published in the journal Neurology looked at changes in the incidence of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) over a period of 15 years, and these were contrasted with changes in the prevalence of smoking. The results indicated that the number of people afflicted with SAH was nearly half of the previously assumed figure and that the number was in rapid decline, a trend that was particularly apparent in younger generations.
Professor Jaakko Kaprio, the lead author of the research, said: “It is extraordinary for the incidence of any cardiovascular disease to decrease so rapidly at the population level in such a short time. Even though we cannot demonstrate a direct causation in nation-wide studies, it is highly likely that the national tobacco policies in Finland have contributed to the decline in the incidence of this type of severe brain haemorrhage.” The team concluded that heavy smoking is a major risk factor for SAH in both sexes, but the risk is especially high among women.
One of the causes of people choosing to continue smoking is a belief that their friendship circles will diminish if they quit, ‘not so’ claims a new study. There is a deeply held fear, that by quitting, smokers believe they’ll lose contact with others they smoke with, according to Centre for Tobacco Research’s Megan Piper.
She said: “That’s definitely a concern that smokers will tell us; they are worried that their friends won’t want to hang out with them. Our data suggest they will have fewer smokers in their network but they don’t end up with fewer friends.”
“As doctors listen to smokers and hear what their concerns are, this would be an opportunity if someone expresses a concern about losing friends,” Piper reassuringly added. “You may not be friends with all the same people if you quit smoking but you will have friends.
According to their results, an ex-smoker with a non-smoking partner stands to gain most over a three-year period. Looking at the Planet of the Vapes forum didn’t play a part in this study, but the social platform demonstrates how many new friendships are formed when taking up vaping in place of smoking.
And the gains do not end there.
“Cigs Tax Fury” blares The Sun, as it describes how British fag addicts now cough up more in tax than any other European country bar Norway. They quote one Ramsgate newsagent bemoaning: “The Government’s tax policy is encouraging smokers to fill their suitcases with cigarettes when abroad. We don’t see some of our most regular customers for several weeks after they have been on a foreign holiday.”
Switching to vaping would be a win-win for all concerned; increased trade for shop owners and massive savings for ex-smokers. If you’d like to find out more about vaping, why not ask one of the friendly POTV forum members here.
Photo Credit:
Images: University of Helsinki press release & Transitions in Smokers’ Social Networks After Quit Attempts: A Latent Transition Analysis
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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