Technology shows smokers how they might look in 50 years

Aug 13 2008 by Sue McCann, Hoylake and West Kirby News

YOUNG people in Wirral will get the opportunity to see how smoking can make you look older, thanks to technology.

On Monday, 18 August, between 10am and 3pm, they will get the chance to come face to face with their future when the Smoke Free Wirral trailer visits Grange Road West with computer software which can show you how you would look in about 50 years’ time. It takes into account if you do or do not smoke cigarettes - and the results can be startling.

Mike Donnelly, Smoke Free Wirral project officer for Wirral Primary Care Trust, said: “We hope to encourage young people to think carefully before smoking by looking at the damage they are doing to their skin.

“Better still, by showing young people that smoking is a sure fire way to get wrinkles, we can hopefully persuade people not to start smoking in the first place.”

Kim Ozano, Smoke Free technical officer, from Wirral Council, added: “There are so many beauty creams on the market to combat the ageing process but they are of little or no use to smokers.

“The benefits of quitting smoking are going to be instant, especially where your looks are concerned. If you are really serious about quitting smoking to protect your skin, you can receive information on the day about the free help that is available from The NHS Stop Smoking Service.”

Molly Duncan, 11, of Heswall, volunteered to have her photograph put through the software and she was horrified by the results.

She said: "After seeing what I may end up like when I’m 72 after having smoked - I know I'm not going to smoke ever.”

Visitors to the trailer will also have a chance to have their say on the next steps to be taken to help reduce the number of people who smoke. For those unable to attend the event, they can have their say by:

l Submitting an online response at: www.wirralpct.nhs.uk/smokefreewirral

l Filling in a consultation postcard at their local one stop shop

l Telephone their views to Mike Donnelly on 630 8477.