Anti-smoking device will highlight dangers of habit
Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers and is a leading cause of death in the UK, but an innovation may help to stop a new generation from taking up the habit, it has been claimed.
A new keyring designed by ten-year-old Hollie Slade features a pair of lungs which have been blackened by tar and is intended to dissuade youngsters from taking up the deadly habit.
The innovation has been applauded by experts, including Amanda Sandford, research manager at the public health organisation ASH, who said that anything which highlights the consequences of smoking is a step in the right direction.
"If it does help even just a handful of people to quit then I would say it was worth it because smoking causes such terrible diseases and premature death that whatever it takes to help people to quit is going to be worth considering," she stated.
Her comments came after a Department of Health initiative found that 96 per cent of children with a parent who smokes wish that they would quit, while almost two-thirds would rather their parents quit than give them more pocket money.
Although the majority of children appear to need no deterrent, Ms Sandford said that young people who already smoke may find that the keyring can act as a similar aid to a nicotine patch designed to help people kick the habit.
She concluded that some will dismiss the aid as a gimmick but pointed out that for many it will serve as another visual aid to remind people that the habit can have deadly consequences.
Posted by Stephen Tate
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