World No Tobacco Day

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Cancer Council are using today's World No Tobacco Day to shed light on the massive influence of socioeconomic factors in the Hunter on the prevalence of smoking.

Around 16 per cent of people in the Hunter smoke and it's been found the incidence of smoking is at its highest in lower socioeconomic areas and trending downward in higher socioeconomic areas.

It's no secret smoking can lead to potentially deadly cancers with 80 per cent of lung cancer cases directly related to smoking, but Regional Manager of the Cancer Council Shayne Connell says the socioeconomic factors are becoming just as much of an influence.

"If you look at different socioeconomic groups those rates vary dramatically - so from a higher socioeconomic area, smoking rates are as low as 4 to 5 per cent and in some other groups like unemployed, people suffering a mental illness, those rates can be upwards of 40 and 50 per cent."

Possible reasons for such a big divide are thought to include that those living in the higher socioeconomic areas may be more responsive to public health campaigns and more likely to use effective resources for quitting smoking and have a better environment in which to be encouraged to quit.

These initiatives don't always appear have the same effect on those in lower socioeconomic areas.

The latest research released by the Cancer Council show results collected over a long period of time between 1985 and 2009 giving a significant snapshot of the frequency of cancer and who is most at risk.

"We looked at lung cancer incidences in women and what we found is that it was fairly steady and there's always a 20 or 30 year lag obviously between generational smoking and lung cancer but from about 1995 onwards there's fairly big disparity between people in a higher socioeconomic groups who had lower cancer rates than those in lower socioeconomic areas," said Shayne Connell.

"With today being World No Tobacco Day, we're really highlighting this again and looking to different research to highlight some of the differences in how lung cancers affect the community."

Fish and chip shop fire

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Quick work by firefighters overnight has stopped what could've been a disastrous fire at a Cardiff Shopping Centre.

Firefighters from six stations were called to a fish and chips shop, Paul's On Harrison, just before 11pm to find a large amount of smoke billowing from the premises.

They found a fire in an overheated oil fryer and managed to contain it before it took hold.

The smoke did however cause extensive damage to the shop.

Reducing woodsmoke this winter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Residents across the Hunter are being asked to keep an eye on their wood heaters in an effort to improve air quality this winter.

In a joint venture of both Singleton Coucnil and Muswellbrook Shire Council, residents are being encouraged to go outside and check their chimneys to see how much smoke, if any, their chimneys are omitting.

Ideally, chimneys shouldn't vent any smoke, just a heat haze.

The following ten tips will ensure your chimney produces less smoke and will help you neighbours breathe easy this winter.

1. Always burn small logs of aged, dry hardwood;
2. Store wood under cover in a dry ventilated area; freshly cut wood needs to be stored for 8-12 months;
3. Never burn rubbish, driftwood or treated or painted wood, which can pollute the air and can be poisonous;
4. Use plenty of dry kindling to establish a good fire quickly;
5. Stack wood loosely in your firebox so air can circulate;
6. Keep the flame lively and bright; your fire should only smoke for a few minutes when you first light it and when you add extra fuel;
7. Open air controls fully for five minutes before and 15-20 minutes after reloading;
8. Don't let you heater smoulder overnight
9. Check your chimney regularly - if there is smoke coming from the chimney, increase the air supply to your fire; and
10. Clean the chimney every year to prevent creosote build-up. Creosote is a sticky black residue that can build up in your chimney - A creosote-clogged chimney can spill smoke into your room when you open the heater, and even catch fire, putting your home at risk.

For more information council staff members are available to give advice and information on using your wood heater efficiently as well as information on rebate programs, is available on both councils' websites at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/rebate or at www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au