Charity Warns of the Risk Between Smoking and Disability

THE Stroke Association warns that over 8,000 people will die and a further 8,000 will suffer from severe disability following a stroke caused by smoking this year.

Currently, over 100,000 people, in England and Wales, will suffer a first stroke each year and a quarter of all these are directly caused by smoking.¹

Contrary to popular belief that cancer and heart disease are the only major health risks, smokers triple their risk of stroke. The Association, which is supporting this year's No Smoking Day on 13th March, is warning of the risk of severe disability caused by smoking-related strokes.

A stroke can cause disabilities such as: short or long-term paralysis, speech problems and reading and writing difficulties. It can also cause problems with thinking, learning, remembering and with perception such as not being able to recognise familiar objects or knowing how to use them.

Linda Cheveau, from Liverpool, had a stroke at 34 years old. She used to smoke. She says, "I was a happy smoker and was never aware it was affecting my health. After my stroke I couldn't walk or talk for six months. The doctors said my smoking was linked to my stroke and if I carried on smoking, it could kill me. That sort of ultimatum was enough for me to give up."

"Stroke is the largest single cause of death and severe disability in this country," says Eoin Redahan, of The Stroke Association. "Because each stroke is different recovery from a stroke can vary. Most people don't think about the risks of stroke from smoking but it is a big problem. This should be a good incentive for people to try and quit smoking."

Smoking causes narrowing and furring of the arteries and makes the blood more likely to clot - both risk factors for stroke. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure - another major risk factor for stroke.

The Stroke Association has produced a factsheet Smoking and Stroke that offers smokers advice on how to quit. For a free copy of the factsheet contact; The Stroke Association, Northampton Resource Centre, 61-69 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1HD or call 01604 623 933/4.

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Notes to editor

1. For an interview or more information, please call the Press Office on 020 7566 0317/0328. Please note that we have ISDN.

2. Regional case studies are available.

3. Shinton R, Beevers G: Meta-analysis of relation between cigarette smoking and stroke. BMJ 1989 298, 789-94

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