As the autumn leaves fall and October brings forth its orange hues once again, Stoptober arrives, challenging smokers to confront the haunting habit of smoking. Launched by Public Health England in 2012 and now run by the Department of Health and Social Care, Stoptober encourages smokers to resist their cravings for 28 days during October, citing that this many days is all it takes to increase the chances of quitting for good by up to five times.
Since its inception, this campaign has helped 2.5 million people banish smoking from their lives and has offered support to those aiding others in their fight.
Before we delve into the positive impact this campaign could have on everyone, including non-smokers, let us first define what smoking is and why exactly it is known as an unhealthy habit.
What is smoking?
Smoking, which involves inhaling and exhaling the fumes from burning tobacco or other substances, is recognised as a leading cause of preventable illness and death worldwide. Although cigarettes are frequently used, smoking can encompass cigars, pipes, and electronic devices like vapes or e-cigarettes, which are sometimes perceived as a healthier alternative.
Nonetheless, there is no foolproof way of smoking that is considered entirely safe; irrespective of the method or variety, all of them pose certain health risks in the long run. Tobacco, as a typical example, releases a harmful mix of chemicals, ranging from as many as 7,000 if you smoke a traditional cigarette. When smoking with a vape, the amount of chemicals is reduced to as low as 2,000.
Many of the chemicals found in tobacco not only naturally occur in the plant itself but are also deliberately added during the processing of tobacco for cigarettes or to extend the shelf life of roll-up tobacco.
According to Cancer Research UK, tobacco smoke contains at least 70 harmful chemicals known to be carcinogenic. Among these are two well-known yet equally sinister substances: tar and carbon monoxide.
What is Tar?
Cigarette tar, not to be confused with the type of tar seen on roads, shares a similar sticky and harmful nature that lingers within tobacco smoke. Once that smoke begins to cool and condense, it starts to solidify and forms a thick, brown residue.
Think of it as a roadblock of toxic chemicals that can stick to the lungs and airways within the body. As it builds up, it also makes it harder for the body to clear out other harmful substances and can lead to serious health problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis.
Moreover, tar doesn't just affect the smoker; it can also harm those around them, even if they are unaware, through secondhand smoke. These sticky particles can linger in the air and on surfaces.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
There are plenty of other harmful chemicals found within cigarettes that are also causes of concern aside from the smoke, including Arsenic (a notorious poison), Ammonia (commonly seen in cleaning supplies) and Formaldehyde (often linked to embalming). Thankfully, most of these are not contained inside the aerosol used within vapes, which is why they are partially used as a tool to help people who want to quit.
The Need for Nicotine
Not every single chemical found within a cigarette is deadly, but those that are not typically make up for it by being insidiously addictive on purpose to ensure that someone always has a craving for more. One naturally occurring example found within tobacco leaves (which can be genetically modified) is a colourless, oily stimulant called nicotine.
While nicotine is typically visible within the small bottles and vials for e-liquids or in nicotine replacement products, it is often masked in tobacco products through the use of sugars and flavours, making it not readily identifiable as a separate component.
Do you recall the mention of ammonia from earlier? The reason the likes of window cleaners are purposefully added is to ensure that when someone smokes, nicotine can reach the brain more quickly through the bloodstream. This process triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure. It is this immediate "feel-good" effect that contributes to nicotine's addictive nature.
When someone attempts to quit smoking, they can experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and intense cravings, which can make it hard to stop. The quick rush felt from the nicotine, along with the reinforced habits and routines associated with smoking (such as the traditional smoke break or using a lighter), creates an irresistible pull that keeps people coming back for more, making quitting a formidable challenge despite the many health risks that come from it.
Between Smoke and Fire - The Impact of Smoking in the UK
Smoking is also currently recognised as one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the UK. Whether it's from direct usage, exposure to secondhand smoke, or complications stemming from smoking while pregnant, smoking is estimated to contribute to roughly 78,000 deaths per year and more than a quarter of all cancer-related deaths.
In the March 2020 Litter Composition Analysis published by Keep Britan Tidy, cigarette stubs were the most frequently collected type of litter, making up 66% of the total number of littered items collected.
Smoking does not only cause harm healthwise but also damages the environment when cigarette butts and vape remnants are not disposed of properly. Just taking a walk can reveal more than just autumn leaves; you might stumble across discarded vape pods on a stroll with their mesmerising gradients or spot the myriad of cigarette butts casually trodden on or flicked into drains which proves that it is not only bottles and wrappers that spoil green spaces, sidewalks, roadsides, beaches, and water bodies.
In addition to lithium batteries and plastics, certain items lack biodegradability and pose significant environmental hazards. For instance, cigarette butts have the potential to contaminate soil and water, leading to ecosystem pollution and endangering wildlife. Vape pods featuring plastic casings and lithium batteries contribute to electronic waste accumulation, challenging recycling efforts and potentially releasing hazardous substances into the environment.
What is Stoptober?
Stoptober aims to directly and indirectly address the issues associated with smoking. The campaign acknowledges that these products are easily accessible online or at kiosks and are a widespread habit due to social, cultural, and economic factors. The idea for this campaign originated from the observation that fewer people quit smoking during the autumn.
Existing campaigns have already echoed the harmful effects of smoking. Stoptober, however, aims to convey a different message by highlighting the many positives of quitting smoking. It stresses the availability of proper support, encourages those who have relapsed to try again, and proudly states that the average smoker can save around £59 a week by quitting.
What happens when I stop smoking?
The campaign also recognises that, as sociable beings, it is much easier to develop good habits or even break destructive habits in a group than to go it alone. NHS Better Health also endorses Stoptober, which offers free tools to locate support and information on the various aids to help combat the effects of nicotine withdrawal. These resources can be accessed at any time or day of the year, not just for October.
Is anything else being done?
The recent King's Speech included the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, initially proposed by former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before the general election on July 4th.
This legislative bill, once passed, would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2009. This bill would also:
Prohibit branding and displays on vapes, including the delectable-sounding names and flashy colours given to liquids
Prevent accessible vapes from being given to children for free
Introduce tighter regulations for vape contents, flavours and other aspects that can circumvent existing loopholes
Expand existing regulations to other products, such as zero nicotine vapes and pouches
For instance, in May 2020, menthol cigarettes were banned in the UK due to their consequence-free appeal. They were marketed as a healthier way to smoke because of their cooling sensation, which makes them easier to inhale. However, while traditional menthol cigarettes are illegal, menthol-flavoured e-liquids remain on sale with labelling requirements and restrictions on nicotine content.
Unfortunately, this bill did not reach its third reading in the House of Commons before the election, and all prior progress has halted. Since then, the new Labour Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has confirmed that there are plans to pick up and expand this bill further, with recent discussions hinting at making it an offence to smoke outdoors in specific areas such as pubs and hospitals. Currently, precise details have yet to be revealed on the usage of vapes, how it will be enforced and how it will differ from the 2007 indoor smoking ban.
Smoke, Mirrors and Silver Screens
Despite regulations that hide cigarettes from view in shops with plain packaging and the increasing scrutiny placed on how vapes and e-cigarettes should stop using flashy colours and enticing flavours, smoking today still has an essential cultural impact and is referenced almost everywhere.
Movies are a prime example of where depictions of smoking can be found, as they help to provide further context to characters and settings. A recent example is the 96th Academy Awards (commonly known as the Oscars), which honours the best offerings across different categories. Among the categories included this year, two smoking-hot categories were featured: "Best Picture" and "Best Animated Featured Film."
Best Picture
Best Animated Feature Film
Discussion Points for Individual Liberty, Tolerance, Democracy and Rule of Law
Is it a good idea to have Stoptober?
Why do people keep smoking or vaping?
Can we balance personal choice with the impact on public health?
Should we prioritise clean air over smoking?
Is it important for movies and TV shows to show history accurately without making smoking or vaping look attractive?
Can the way smoking and vaping are shown in media influence young people to start smoking, and should it be limited?
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