Cancer Council WA has launched a new campaign with a focus on brain health, following alarming new research* revealing people who smoke had a 64 per cent higher risk of dying from dementia compared to people who had never smoked.
Cancer Council WA has partnered with Dementia Australia to develop the campaign to help raise awareness about the link between smoking and dementia, while providing practical support and tips to help people quit.
Cancer Council WA Make Smoking History Manager, Libby Jardine, said the findings from the research highlighted the importance of increasing awareness about the lesser-known harms of smoking.
“This research is a powerful reminder that smoking harms almost every organ in the body, including the brain,” Ms Jardine said.
“People who smoke currently are more likely than non-smokers to die of dementia.
Many people know smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease, but fewer people know smoking can also affect brain health.
“Researchers believe smoking damages circulation and blood vessels throughout the body, including the blood vessels supplying the brain, which may contribute to the development of dementia.
“While we can’t change things like age, genetics or family history, quitting smoking is one important step people can take to protect their brain health and help lower their risk of dementia.”
Ms Jardine said the study confirms there is no safe level of smoking, finding people who smoked between one and 14 cigarettes a day faced significantly increased health risks.
“Some people think smoking only a few cigarettes a day isn’t harmful, but this research shows there is no safe level of smoking,” she said.
“The good news is quitting smoking has benefits at any age, and the earlier you quit, the better.”
The campaign, produced by Gatecrasher, will run across social media platforms until 31 July.
