I was never much of a smoker, but living in the UK I often found myself surrounded by the smell of cigarettes. From bus stops to bars, it seemed like wherever I went I had to endure that harsh tobacco aroma. But even though I personally don’t smoke, I’m still aware of the widespread appeal of it in the UK. There are lots of different brands out there to choose from, like Marlborough, Benson & Hedges, and Lucky Strike. Cigarettes are commonly used as a social tool, and some people even prefer to roll their own, buying their tobacco from supermarkets or specialist shops. It seems to be a very British affair that people of all ages enjoy.
The issue of smoking in the UK has been a hot topic for many years. Of course, cigarettes are damaging to our health, so the government is taking progressive steps to try and reduce the number of people smoking. This ranges from increasing the amount of money you have to pay if you buy a single packet of cigarettes, to introducing plain packaging in 2016 so that brands can no longer be displayed on cigarette packets. This was designed to make smoking seem less appealing, and discourage young people from taking it up. The government has also banned smoking in public areas, such as in pubs and restaurants, in an effort to further reduce smoking rates in the UK.
Despite these steps taken by the government, the smoking rate in the UK is still quite high. This may have to do with the fact that some people are reluctant to quit, thinking it’s too hard to give up their habit. In addition, the accessibility of cigarettes and other substances make it difficult for people to stay away from them. For example, in the UK you can buy cigarettes from most petrol stations, supermarkets or corner shops, and you can often find people selling them on the street. This kind of availability contributes to the problem of smoking in the UK.
So what can be done to help people quit smoking in the UK? One option is to introduce vaping as a form of substitute for cigarettes. Vaping is seen as a more accessible method of quitting, and it still allows people to enjoy the sensation of smoking without consuming as many chemicals. Many countries are already doing this, and there is compelling evidence to suggest that transitioning to vaping can significantly help people to quit smoking.
Another tactic which has shown success is to implement training programmes which help people to quit. These programmes provide both scientific information and support, giving people the resources they need to make better decisions for their health. These schemes have been proven to reduce smoking rates in countries such as Canada and the United States, and if implemented in the UK it could help to reduce smoking rates even further.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to make the decision to quit smoking. But if more resources are available to them and they receive support from the government and healthcare providers, then it becomes much easier for individuals to take control of their own health and quit smoking. Hopefully with the help of government initiatives, better accessibility to vaping, and training programmes, the UK can become a smoke-free country.