RECENT figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that not only is the North-East the region with the heaviest cigarette consumption, but worryingly, also one of the few regions in the United Kingdom to see a rise in the number of smokers.

To get an idea of this disparity, the proportion of adult smokers in the North-East reached 23 per cent in 2014, compared to a national average of 19 per cent, with the South East having the lowest proportion of smokers at just over 17 per cent. From 2005-2010, however, the North-East was doing well, with the highest number of quitters in England. The severe recession thereafter, affecting our area particularly badly, has been blamed on many people returning to the habit.

Tobacco was initially introduced to the United Kingdom in the late 1580’s, with Sir Walter Raleigh credited as first bringing that, as well as potatoes, from his voyages to the Americas. Although a formal link between the plant and ill-health was only established several centuries later, with the major tobacco firms still arguing against a causal effect of smoking on lung cancer up to the 1970s, post mortems of sailors from Raleigh’s crew who were smokers made note of unusually blackened lungs.

While there are various theories on why people start smoking including peer pressure, teenage rebelliousness and perhaps even perceived glamour and sophistication, the major reason the habit is maintained is due to the addictive properties of nicotine, one of the major active ingredients in tobacco. As the smoker inhales, nicotine is directly absorbed through the blood vessels in the mouth, tongue and lungs, reaching the brain within seconds. Here it alters the balance between two major chemicals in the brain, dopamine and noradrenaline, altering mood and concentration. The high may be instantaneous, with many smokers report feelings of relaxation and wellbeing on lighting up, as well as improved memory and cognition. Unfortunately the effects are short lived, and as the brain becomes accustomed to nicotine, greater levels are required to produce the same effect. Hence the habit becomes addictive.

Sadly with an estimated 500 harmful chemicals in the average cigarette, including certain heavy metals including cadmium and lead, smoking has been linked with every cancer, as well as many major diseases including coronary heart disease, asthma and obstructive airways disease, dementia as well as difficulty conceiving and erection problems. It is not only smokers who suffer; passive smoking has unfortunately claimed the lives of thousands of non-smoking spouses. Children of smokers are more likely to suffer ill health and there is a well-established link with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in babies whose parents smoke.

Stopping smoking can be extremely difficult, especially for those who consume large amounts of tobacco, with withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, irritability, nausea, headaches and cravings. These symptoms can be fairly extreme in the first few days, and may explain why several people are unsuccessful in stopping smoking, at least initially. The good news is that these feelings tend to subside after the first 2 weeks. Thankfully it is almost always never too late to give up, with benefits experienced within days. After the first 72 hours of stopping, an ex-smoker can expect to find breathing easier, and to feel more energetic. By one month, skin tone will have increased due to better blood flow. After a year, the cough associated with chronic tobacco use may have resolved, with up to 10per cent improvement in lung function. With increased abstinence, the risk of illnesses including heart disease and lung cancer will drop, sometimes to only that of someone who had never smoked.

There are now more ways of stopping smoking than ever, including nicotine gums, sprays, lozenges, tablets and patches. Some medications can be bought without prescription; however there are dedicated clinics where trained members of staff can support you through the period after you decide to stop. Your local GP surgery will be more than happy to help in your decision.

Finally, there has been much publicity surrounding the “e-cigarette” which claims to delivery nicotine in a non-harmful way, providing smokers with their fix without the other harmful chemicals found in conventional cigarettes. And while so called “vaping” is now the most popular way of trying to stop smoking in the UK, we have no long term data as yet, so it should not be viewed as completely harmless. Ultimately the best solution is to try to quit altogether and hence, as stated by Public Health England, it should be used as a method of helping smokers away from tobacco, and not as an introduction to smoking for children and non-smokers.