'More could turn to cigarettes' fear amid stress of recession

Efforts are underway to tackle problem areas throughout the county where smoking rates are above the national average, although it is feared that the number of smokers could increase as more people fall victim to the economic downturn.

A stark warning has been issued by mental health charity MIND that issues linked to the recession, such as mounting debt and long-term unemployment, could cause people to seek "short-term fixes" to counter stress.

Director of York and district branch of MIND Mike Beckett said: "In times of stress, people can look to coping mechanisms that can be negative.

"Smoking is often seen as a way of relieving stress, but any perceived short-term benefits are far out-weighed by the long-term health issues – and the actual cost of taking up smoking.

"We would urge anyone thinking about starting smoking to first seek help from either ourselves or the NHS."

Demand for mental health services in North Yorkshire has soared after the recession has led to a significant increase in stress-related illnesses and depression.

The Yorkshire Post revealed in October that the economic downturn has prompted a wave of people desperate to seek expert help from charities in the county after facing mounting worries about their financial situation and job prospects.

The information telephone hotline for the York and district branch of MIND has been inundated with calls, with 935 inquiries in the last financial year compared with 445 in the previous 12 months.

The Government announced last month that it had launched a national helpline to provide support and advice to anyone struggling with stress.

Figures from the primary care trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, revealed that several areas in the county are already plagued by smoking rates above the national average.

The York and Scarborough districts recorded the highest rates, although a new year campaign is underway to encourage smokers to kick their habits.

In York, 24.3 per cent of adults are smokers compared with a national average for England of 24.1 per cent. A total of 299 people in York die each year from smoking-related illness compared with a national average of 210. In Scarborough and Whitby, 26 per cent of adults are smokers and 245 people die each year of smoking-related illnesses.

More than 22 per cent of adults in the Selby district are smokers, while the rates in Richmondshire and Ryedale are 19.5 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively. In Hambleton, about 18 per cent of adults are smokers and about 140 deaths are linked to smoking-related illnesses each year.

North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service co-ordinator Margaret Hewitson said: "If you are going to make one New Year's resolution worth keeping this year, quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your long-term health.

"In the first few weeks of stopping when withdrawal symptoms can be at their worst we offer encouragement, tips on dealing with cravings and access to stop smoking medication.

"Getting help from the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service can be up to four times more effective than willpower alone."

The stop smoking service offers smoking cessation programmes. Services are also available through trained advisers at GP practices and pharmacies.

Contact the stop smoking service on 0845 877 0025 or

at www.nyypct.nhs.uk and click on the home page staying healthy" link.