Would these gory pictures make you stub it out?

10:15am Thursday 30th August 2007

By Charlotte Percival

England was going smoke free and they wanted to bite the bullet and quit the evil weed. That was their intention, at least.

Those who have not yet managed to stop may find new resolve in the Government's next step to stamp out smoking.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced that graphic images showing the dangers of smoking are to appear on cigarette packets.

They could include images of corpses on a mortuary slab, or a tumour growing from the side of a smoker's neck.

According to Mr Johnson, pictures of diseased lungs and congested arteries have cut smoking rates in Canada, Singapore and Brazil. He thinks such images are the next vital step in reducing the number of smokers.

"We've had the message on cigarette packets since 2003, warning that smoking kills, for instance, and the evidence is that's very effective, but diminishing in its effect," he said.

"Using graphic images to get the same message across - that smoking kills, that people who smoke will die younger, that smoking actually makes your skin age - these are important messages, and if you can introduce graphics into it as well, it has a more dramatic effect.

"That's certainly been the case in countries such as Canada, where they introduced this some years ago."

A series of 15 pictures have been chosen following market research, public consultation and a vote on the most effective warnings on the dangers of smoking, and will appear on cigarette packets from autumn 2008.

Jill Ross, specialist smoking advisor for North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service, thinks it could.

There has been a large increase in people wanting to stop smoking since the ban came in, she said.

Also, smokers now seem to be more aware of the risks they are taking with their health.

For example, they might become out of breath quicker, or suffer from heart disease, and realise they have to act.

"One of the things people are saying when they want to stop is how much easier it is now people aren't smoking around them," she said.

"It's been difficult for a lot of people going out for a drink because that's the trial when you're trying to stop smoking.

"Because there is a ban now they can go out and have a drink without people smoking around them and it makes it so much easier for them."

The smoking ban has been a new dawn, she says. Some people will try to resist the ban and claim their civil liberties are being breached, and in a way Jill can not blame them.

But such hostility seems to be wavering, she adds, and some people who seek her advice do so specifically because of the ban.

The new graphics on cigarette packets should draw attention to the consequences of smoking, and anything that does that is worthwhile.

"It's absolutely excellent. I think the proof is there to be seen in Scotland and Wales and Ireland, who brought in the ban before us."

Last month, Martin Hagan, of the Bootham Tavern, told The Press some of his longest serving customers had been driven away by the ban.

"We've lost one or two customers but people started coming back in and things have started to pick up now the football season has started and the Rugby League is still on," he said.

"I suppose in the long run the smoking ban will be good, although it's doing away with people's human rights."

Ralph Tomlinson, licensee of The Spread Eagle, in Walmgate, says his trade has improved.

A few people moaned at first, he said, but they soon got used to going outside, and now many non-smokers have joined them.

"I think the ban is brilliant," he said. "I think people have accepted it now. As long as the pubs will put something out there for them, then they are okay; we have got a converted brick outbuilding with a heater. I should think it is where they have only got umbrellas that they might be a bit upset.

"The inside of the pub is probably a bit quieter, but the beer garden is busy because a lot of non smokers are actually going out there now."

As a heavy smoker himself, Ralph knows some people don't like to be surrounded by smoke. He has tried to give up many times, but found it too difficult.

The ban has protected people's health, he says, but he does not like the way it was enforced.

"If it had been a bit more like Spain where landlords were able to choose whether to be a non-smoking pub or not then it might have been a bit more accepted by the trade," he added.

He had been smoking roll ups since starting sixth form 14 years ago, and felt his health would benefit if he stopped.

"I thought I would stop when the ban came in because I'm now 30 and I could do without smoking for the rest of my life. Stopping at that time seemed like a good idea because at least I wouldn't be tempted to have a cig when I went out," he said.

"It was easier than I thought actually. I was offered some treatment to detox at a spa and the rest was all will power."

The cravings became more pronounced after a few pints, and it was annoying standing inside alone while his friends went outside to smoke, he says.

"At first I dealt with it by going home early, but all my friends smoke so going out was hard.

"I was a bit disappointed with myself because I did two weeks, but then I quite enjoy smoking."

Richard supports the smoking ban, and believes it does help people to quit who might otherwise have been tempted to light up in the pub.

One day he hopes to try again, although with different reasons to the smoking ban.

"I'll probably wait until I'm going out with somebody who doesn't smoke and doesn't like it and then I'll have another go."

THIS is Gloria Small's fourth serious attempt at quitting smoking. The 36-year-old, who did not want to use her real name, has tried to stop many times over the 20 years she has been lighting up.

"I would say I have stopped for a decent length of time three times before," she said.

"My last stop was for a year. I went to a smoking clinic but it was run by someone who had never smoked so you think what do you know? This time I'm going completely cold turkey."

"That would make me carry on for a bit longer if anything, out of defiance," she said. "It was for financial reasons that I stopped."

Chewing gum and other aids to stop smoking can be expensive - which would not help her situation. However, you can get them on prescription if you go to an NHS stop smoking clinic, she points out.

Previously, it has been big traumas that have made her reach for the cigarettes again, but this time she hopes to succeed.

The smoking ban has its benefits, she admits, but she does not like the "nanny state" it represents.

"You end up baby sitting drinks in pubs while all your friends go for a cigarette if you don't smoke," she said.

"It irritates me in a way because the nanny state thing really annoys me. I think you should have smoking and non-smoking pubs to give people a choice."

Audrey Outhwaite, of York, a smoker: "The ban hasn't had much of an effect on me. It's okay in the summer when it's warm and light but I am dreading the winter. My friends have carried on as usual too. The bars have catered for it well, providing boxes and awnings. It does feel a bit weird in pubs and restaurants not being able to light up with food and drink."

Sean Murphy, 37, of Tadcaster, a non-smoker: "I find it a lot nicer in pubs because I can come out without my clothes stinking of smoke. I think the outside of pubs are horrible, as people don't use the boxes provided and the floor is littered with cigarette stubs. I don't think the new pictures will have any effect - if people want to smoke they will."

Maureen Pitz Gowers, of Scarborough, 62, a former smoker: "It's nice to go into pubs and come out not smelling. I think the new pictures could have an effect on heavy smokers, but it will have no effect on light smokers. I think winter will encourage more people to quit."

Gillian Edwards, 19, of Middlesbrough, a non-smoker: "I'm annoyed that I get left inside on my own sitting in clubs while my friends go outside to smoke, but the ban has stopped me from smoking socially. I think the new pictures may have an effect on the older generation, but it won't effect my age group."