Wise-up to Roll-ups
Many smokers believe that roll-your-owns or RYO cigarettes are not as harmful as manufactured. Many RYO smokers change to smoking roll-ups rather than stopping smoking in the mistaken belief that they will smoke less tobacco and inhale fewer toxic chemicals. But hand-rolling tobacco is just as harmful as the tobacco in manufactured cigarettes.
New research from the NHS Smoking Helpline reveals that 1 in 4 smokers believe that hand-rolled tobacco poses less of a health risk than manufactured cigarettes. When asked why they choose hand-rolled, most smokers said that it was because they are cheaper. However, many also think that manufactured cigarettes are more dangerous with 18-24 year olds most likely of all ages groups to believe that hand-rolled poses less of a health risk.
In the South-West, 33% of smokers use hand-rolled tobacco and many other smokers use it on an occasional basis, making it a new and traditionally challenging group for the Stop Smoking Service to reach.
Myth: Hand-rolled is healthier
Fact: There is no data to indicate that hand-rolled cigarettes are less toxic than commercially manufactured cigarettes. In fact, studies have pointed to an increased risk of lung and oesophageal cancer as well as cancer of the mouth, pharynx and larynx in hand-rolled tobacco smokers compared with those smoking manufactured cigarettes.
Myth: Only old men smoke roll-ups
Fact: Younger people and women are now taking up the 'old mans' habit of smoking roll-ups. Those between 18-24 years age are the most likely group to switch between hand-rolled and manufactured (22% compared with 16% average).
Myth: Rolling your own helps you 'cut down'
Fact: Evidence suggests that smokers who may be motivated to quit due to the increased cost of smoking have instead 'traded down' to hand-rolled tobacco. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics also show that people who smoke hand-rolled at least some of the time are less likely to want or expect to give up.
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