Smoking Tests
The UK Government intends to halve the number of smokers in England from one fifth (21%) of the population to one in 10 by 2020.
The target requires around four million of England’s estimated eight million smokers to quit.
An extension of the ban – which currently covers enclosed spaces – to include open-air but busy areas such as office doorways and pub gardens, would also reduce passive smoking, Department of Health (DH) officials believe.
Smoking cessation
The number of smokers has fallen by a quarter in the past decade, but an estimated 200,000 young people start smoking every year. Nicotine use is a major cause of cancer and heart disease.
In 2007 more than 80,000 deaths and 1.4 million hospital admissions were attributed to smoking and the Department of Health said the habit costs the NHS £2.7 billion a year.
Mr Burnham said: “Most smokers start before they are 18, so we have to discourage children and young people from ever starting. Discouraging smoking in public places is a key aspect of changing attitudes.
In addition to the entrances to office blocks, many of which are now a frequent haunt of smokers, he will look at the effects of smoking areas outside pubs, bars and nightclubs as well as bus shelters.
“Now that we’ve banned advertising and will soon see an end to attractive displays in shops, the only remaining method of advertising tobacco is the packaging. So we will carefully consider whether there is evidence for making tobacco companies use plain packets.
Nicotine tests
Mr Les Vasey Managing Director of Modern Health Systems Ltd who supply NHS clinics and insurance companies with Nicotine tests commented, ”There is a growing awareness of these health risks. MHS has hopefully played its part in raising awareness regarding the dangers of Nicotine. We have developed a range of very effective nicotine tests to help monitor use. In particular Nicoscreen and Smokescreen that can detect evidence of recent nicotine inhalation in urine and saliva samples.”
These products are currently available to be purchased from our shop Purchase on-line
Tags: Nicoscreen, Nicotine tests, Smoking Tests