Laura Sharman 04 May 2020

Around 300,000 quit smoking due to coronavirus

Council leaders have welcomed figures that show around 300,000 people have quit smoking due to an increased risk from coronavirus.

The survey, conducted in partnership with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), also found a further 550,000 people have tried to quit, with 2.4 million cutting down the amount they smoke.

Evidence suggests that smokers in hospital who have coronavirus are at a higher risk than non-smokers of severe illness.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, said: ‘Covid-19 is making everyone much more concerned about staying healthy, and for people who smoke that means quitting.

’This survey shows that Covid-19 has increased the desire of many smokers to quit. It is important that health professionals are still able to offer them the support they need to give them the best chance to succeed.’

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: 'Smokers are at particular risk of COVID-19 and it is encouraging that so many have quit the habit for good.

'We need to continue to support people to give up smoking altogether, both through the current crisis and beyond, if we are to save lives both in the immediate and longer-term.'

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

Liverpool City Council
£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recuriter: Liverpool City Council

Social Worker Campaign - Adult Services

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Support residents to live more independently, with compassion at the heart of your workSupport residents to live more independently, with compassion a England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Prinicipal Surveyor

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £ 48,710 to £52,805 pa (Pay Award Pending)
We are looking for an individual who has specialist knowledge of property and property processes and who has a professional, positive, enthusiastic an Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Customer Service Adviser (Saturday)

Oxfordshire County Council
£24404 - £24790
About the Role Customer Service Advisers are the first point of contact with library customers and library partners. The role involves continual interaction with users of the library, face to face, via email or by telephone and is a job where you can have Summertown Library, South Parade, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Continuous Improvement Audit Lead

Oxfordshire County Council
£57178 - £60485
About the Role The Continuous Improvement Audit Lead will work collaboratively across our Children, Education and Families directorate, using learning from quality assurance activity to strengthen and develop all areas of children’s services’ skills, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner