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Smokers’ ‘true’ age revealed

19/ 3/2008

THERE are children as young as 13 with the lungs of 40 year olds in Tameside schools according to stop smoking advisor Fiona Adams.

So in comparison I felt quite sprightly to learn that my ex-smoker’s lungs are only those of a 37 year old (I’m 31).

Still, it’s a shock to learn the damage done by just a few years’ addiction – I gave up full-time smoking 10 years ago but have occasionally succumbed to temptation, usually while out drinking.

I was tested on the Quit It bus in Ashton’s ASDA car park.

As well as lung age tests, experts show you what you will look like in 20 years’ time if you carry on smoking – not a pretty sight – and how much carbon monoxide there is in your blood.

It’s all part of the shock tactics employed by health experts in a bid to get smokers in Tameside to stub it out.

Fiona works at Tameside Hospital giving help and advice and often visits schools and colleges.

She said: "When we do these lung function tests, it can be a shock, especially for young kids when we do this in schools. We’ve had 13 and 14 year olds with the lungs of someone 40-plus and when they see their lung age, they’re horrified. They realise that’s why they’ve been getting out of breath in PE all the time."

Shock tactics are all very well in the short term but in the long term encouragement and practical advice is needed.

Quit It adviser Maggie Doherty says even those who have smoked for years can be helped.

"It’s amazing how many people can actually quit with a bit of willpower. We talk to them about how to get counselling and a prescription for patches or chewing gum if they need it," she said.

For free help and support, contact the NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 432 0303 or text QUIT with your name and postcode to 81066.