This year has been a difficult one for most, with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, turning many peoples lives upside down. However, data shows that in spite of this, there have been some positive changes during this time.
The UCL Smoking Toolkit Study
The Smoking Toolkit Study by UCL (University College London) is an ongoing data collection study that tracks smoking rates across the country by conducting face-to-face surveys and follow-up telephone calls.
Data includes information on Smoking habits as well as smoking cessation and quit attempts. The study has found that over 643,000 people have quit smoking this year, compared to 307,000 in 2019. This is the biggest drop recorded in over a decade.
How has lockdown helped smokers quit?
The pandemic, and subsequent lockdown, seem to have been the spark that has motivated so many people to have quit, but there are a number of reasons given for making the change.
For many, the added risk of COVID-19 has been the main motivation for making a quit attempt. Research has found that smokers are tice as likely to be hospitalized due to coronavirus than non-smokers. In an interview for The Times, one man who has successfully quit smoking during lockdown, having smoked for 30 years, stated;
“Covid was the fright I needed… As well as the health aspect, I though it’s be selfish of me to be a burden to the NHS and end up being treated by someone I knew when I could have stopped smoking.”
In the article, Mr Kyle also mentions the financial benefits of making the quit;
“I used to smoke 20 a day, so for every day I’ve not smoked, I put £10 in a pot, I’m now up to £1650. The health benefits far outweigh the financial gains, but you still get a buzz seeing the money.”
Hazel Cheeseman, Director of Policy at ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) explains that for those who have been financially affected by the impact of COVID-19, the money saved by quitting smoking may have been ‘a big driver of behaviour’.
It is suggested that the lockdown allowed for many people to switch because the disruption to their usual routine actually made it easier for them to quit. Cheeseman explains;
“The disruption to daily routines caused by social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions may have reduced or eliminated smoking cues, making it easier to change behaviour.”
Meaning that during lockdown, some of the cues that would usually lead people to crave a cigarette no longer occurred, such as the commute to and from work, or going for a drink with friends.
Studies have found that is a person can quit smoking for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good. So, the removal of these behavioural cues for an extended period gave many the perfect opportunity to completely kick the habit.
If you, or someone you know, is considering making a quit attempt and would like to find out if an e-cigarette could help, head over to our blog to find posts on making the switch, or pop in to your local Evapo store and speak to a member of our team.
Sources
https://www.smokinginengland.info/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8827863/Record-numbers-smokers-kick-habit-lockdown
