British Dental Association Backs No Smoking Day 2009 , UK

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Dentistry
Article Date: 12 Mar 2009 - 6:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The British Dental Association (BDA) has given its backing to No Smoking Day 2009. The organisers of the day, which takes place on 11 March, work closely with local stop smoking services to organise events to help smokers quit and promote the health benefits and financial gains of giving up.

Professor Damien Walmsley, Scientific Adviser to the BDA, said: "Smoking has a significant negative impact on oral health. It can discolour teeth, contribute to bad breath and cause gum disease. Even more seriously, along with heavy consumption of alcohol, tobacco use is a risk factor for oral cancer, a potentially fatal and disfiguring condition.

"Dentists see the effects of smoking first hand and can play an important role in helping those who wish to quit do so. The BDA shares No Smoking Day's vision of reducing tobacco-related illness and death, and is pleased to lend its support to this valuable campaign."

Further information about No Smoking Day 2009 is available from: http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/.

The British Dental Association (BDA) is the professional association for dentists in the UK. It represents 23,000 dentists working in general practice, in community and hospital settings, in academia and research, and in the armed forces, and includes dental students.

John Hilsdon
Head of Public Affairs
British Dental Association
http://www.bda.org