Category: Uncategorized

National No Smoking Day is observed in the UK annually on the second Wednesday of March, falling on the 12th of March 2025. Inaugurated on Ash Wednesday in 1984, the day aims to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and encourage smokers to quit, highlighting the benefits of a smoke-free life.

Smoking poses serious health risks, affecting nearly every organ in the body. Smokers significantly increase the risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung cancer, as well as heart disease.

The good news is quitting smoking brings immediate and long-term health benefits, reducing health risks and improving overall well-being. The thought of quitting smoking can be a daunting one, but with the right tools and support, a quit attempt is more likely to be successful and doesn’t have to be stressful.

Why quit smoking?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful gas found in cigarette smoke. When inhaled, CO is absorbed into the bloodstream, reducing oxygen levels and increasing the risk of heart disease. Improvements can be seen in as little as 8 hours after smoking the last cigarette.

• After 8 hours oxygen levels will start to recover, and the CO levels in the bloodstream will have reduced by half¹.
• After 48 hours, the CO levels will have dropped to those of a non-smoker¹.
• After two weeks to three months, your lung function and circulation improve².
• After nine months, coughs and shortness of breath decrease and your lungs are recovering².
• After one year, your risk of coronary heart disease is halved².
• After five years, your risk of many types of cancer is reduced².

Smoking doesn’t only impact health; it can significantly impact finances as well. it is thought if you smoke the average amount of cigarettes a day (11.1), you could save £1,239 after six months², based on the cheapest pack of cigarettes.

Healthcare Impact

Smoking also places a significant burden on the NHS; with more GP visits and health complications due to smoking, resources are stretched. It is thought that ending smoking could free up 75,000 GP appointments each month³, which would allow healthcare professionals to focus on preventative care and other critical issues.

UK ‘Smokefree’ by 2030

In 2019, the UK government outlined its ambitious goal of making England ‘Smokefree’ by 2030, aiming to reduce adult smoking rates to 5% or less⁴. This initiative, part of a broader strategy for proactive, predictive, and personalised prevention⁵, also includes plans to gradually raise the legal smoking age, preventing anyone born after 2008 from ever legally purchasing tobacco. In line with these efforts, the government announced in January 2024 further measures to protect public health, particularly among young people. By the end of 2025, disposable vapes will be banned to curb their accessibility to children, alongside new regulations introducing plain packaging and restrictions on sweet-flavoured vapes, which are particularly appealing to younger audiences. These steps aim to tackle both smoking and vaping rates, moving closer to a smokefree future.

What help is available?

Quitting smoking isn’t always easy; there are many resources available to aid smoking cessation, from support groups to stop-smoking clinics. Here are a few available options:

NHS Stop Smoking Services

• The NHS Smokefree service offers free expert support, advice, and resources.
• Local Stop Smoking Clinics provide personalised quit plans and access to medications.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

• Products like nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
• Available on prescription or over the counter, NRT provides a controlled dose of nicotine without the harmful chemicals in cigarettes.

CO Devices

• CO devices provide real-time feedback on CO levels in exhaled breath.
• Research has shown that smokers find CO devices helpful and help reduce their cigarette consumption, giving them the motivation to quit.

The Smokerlyzer®

The iCOquit® Smokerlyzer® is a remote Bluetooth® device that allows users to track their smoking cessation efforts from the comfort of their own homes. The device can be used with the iCOquit® app, available on Google Play and Apple App Store. Users can track their CO levels remotely and share results with smoking cessation advisors, friends, and family. This provides visual motivation and allows users to track their quitting progress in real time.

How National No Smoking Day Inspires Smoking Cessation

National No Smoking Day serves as a motivational push for many smokers to quit. With widespread support from health organisations, charities, and public health campaigns, it has helped thousands of people take their first step towards quitting.

With smoking still one of the leading causes of preventable illness and death in the UK⁶, it is clear that more needs to be done to educate and assist smokers on their quit-smoking journey. For more information on the Smokerlyzer® range and how it can aid in smoking cessation, please visit our website.

For more information on the impact of smoking across the globe, read our article ‘World No Tobacco Day 2024: How the Smokerlyzer® range can help.’

References

1. Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. [Internet]. NHS. [Cited Thursday 13^th February 2025] Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/#:~:text=After%2020%20minutes,halved%20compared%20with%20a%20smoker’s.
2. No Smoking Day [Internet]. ASH Scotland. 2025. [Cited Tuesday 18^th February 2025]. Available from: https://ashscotland.org.uk/no-smoking-day/
3. Ending smoking could free up 75,000 GP appointments each month. [Internet]. Cancer Research UK. 2023. [Cited 7th January 2025]. Available from: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2023/03/07/ending-smoking-could-free-up-gp-appointments/
4. The Smokefree 2030 ambition for England [Internet]. House of Commons Library. 2023. [Cited Tuesday 18^th February 2025]. Available from: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9655/CBP-9655.pdf
5. Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s- consultation document [Internet]. GOV.UK. 2019. [Cited Tuesday 18^th February 2025]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/advancing-our-health-prevention-in-the-2020s/advancing-our-health-prevention-in-the-2020s-consultation-document
6. House of Commons Library. Rachael Harker. [cited on Wednesday 19^th February 2025] Available from https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7648/#:~:text=Smoking%20is%20a%20leading%20cause,adults%20aged%2035%20and%20over.

Hydrogen and methane breath testing (HMBT) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool frequently used to assess small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and carbohydrate malabsorption disorders such as lactose and fructose intolerance. Despite its widespread use in adults, its application in children is less standardized, and clinicians often face uncertainties about adapting adult protocols for the pediatric population.

This article discusses the use of HMBT in children, highlights the key considerations for interpreting results, and reflects on the most reliable available guidelines, particularly the 2017 North American Consensus.

Background and Current Challenges:

SIBO, as well as carbohydrate malabsorption such as lactose and fructose intolerance, can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in both children and adults, such as bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and malnutrition. In children, nutritional deficiencies leading to failure to thrive pose a great challenge in paediatric clinics. Since children require a constant supply of nutrients for healthy growth, accurate diagnosis is especially crucial in this age group. Despite the seriousness of the need for HMBTs in children, the literature is extremely sparse for this age group, and testing clinics have to rely on the more robust adult consensus guidelines. When applying adult HMBT protocols to children, there are significant challenges due to differences in gut physiology, metabolic rates, and transit times.

While the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) has issued guidelines for paediatric breath testing, there are limitations, including inconsistencies in test performance, lack of paediatric-specific threshold values, and variability in interpreting test results. This has led to hesitancy in fully endorsing these guidelines for clinical use. Instead, many experts, including myself, recommend following the 2017 North American Consensus guidelines, even though these were primarily designed for adults. The North American Consensus offers more robust guidance that can be adapted for paediatric use with careful consideration.

Test Protocols and Dosages for Children:

Despite the absence of paediatric-specific guidelines, one of the most reliable approaches is to use the same substrates and dosages as those recommended for adults. For instance, the North American Consensus suggests using:

• Lactulose: 10 g or 15 mL for diagnosing SIBO.
• Lactose or fructose: 25 g for diagnosing intolerance.

It is important to note that while these dosages are appropriate for adults, they may be on the higher side for children. For example, a 25 g dose of lactose is roughly equivalent to consuming 500 mL of milk, which can be excessive for a child and may lead to false positives. Therefore, clinicians should be cautious in interpreting positive results and should always consider the child’s ability to absorb such quantities.

Moreover, similar to adults, for children, it is particularly important to prioritise ruling out SIBO before testing for intolerance. SIBO can cause secondary malabsorption and intolerance, meaning that treating SIBO could resolve carbohydrate intolerance symptoms. This is of utmost importance in the paediatric age group, as diagnosing lactose intolerance entails significant restrictions on the essential nutrients required for the healthy growth of children.

SIBO Testing and the Role of Methane:

When testing for SIBO, lactulose is typically used as the substrate. Lactulose is a non-absorbable sugar, and the bacteria in the small intestine ferment it, producing hydrogen (H₂) and methane (CH₄). The consensus suggests using a 20 ppm rise in H₂ from the baseline as the threshold for diagnosing SIBO. While this threshold was established for adults, it is also a conservative measure that can be applied to paediatric populations. It is conservative in the sense that if the test is negative for SIBO, despite the intake of adult-dose lactulose, SIBO is ruled out. A positive result for SIBO in children may be due to a quick oro-caecal transit, due to the shorter length of the GI tract or faster gut motility. Therefore, a positive result is inconclusive unless a paediatric oro-caecal transit study confirms the timing of lactulose transit in that particular patient for interpretation.

Methane Detection in Children: Thresholds, Prevalence, and Clinical Implications:

CH₄ detection is an essential aspect of HMBT, particularly for identifying intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO). CH₄ production has been linked to slower gastrointestinal motility, contributing to symptoms such as constipation, a common issue in children with IMO. Elevated CH₄ levels not only indicate the presence of methanogenic flora but also highlight the need for targeted therapies that can alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, abdominal discomfort, and malabsorption, particularly in children where growth and nutrient absorption are crucial.

One significant factor in interpreting CH₄ breath test results in children is the role of oro-caecal transit time, which does not appear to impact CH₄ analysis. Unlike H₂ production, which can be influenced by rapid oro-caecal transit, CH₄ detection is independent of how quickly food passes through the small intestine. This means that CH₄ breath test results are less prone to false positives or negatives caused by variations in gut transit time, making them a reliable tool in both adult and paediatric populations.

However, when discussing CH₄ thresholds, it is important to acknowledge the difference in the prevalence of methanogens between children and adults. Studies, including one by Vanderhaeghen et al. (2015), have shown that children generally have a lower prevalence of methanogens such as Methanobrevibacter smithii. In their study, 65% of children had detectable levels of methanogens, compared to 89% of adults, and the relative abundance of methanogens in children was lower (0.15% vs. 0.52%).

While the prevalence of methanogens is lower in children, this does not necessarily imply that CH₄ production is consistently low in those who carry methanogens. Children with detectable methanogens may still produce CH₄ at levels comparable to adults, as the metabolic activity of Methanobrevibacter smithii and related species is primarily driven by substrate availability rather than just the prevalence of the species. This means that while fewer children may test positive for CH₄, those who do could produce significant amounts of CH₄. However, the same article provides a very interesting insight into the relative abundance of Methanobacteriales in children that was significantly lower compared to adults (0.15% in children vs 0.52% in adults). This difference indicates that children who are positive for hosting methanogenic species may naturally produce less CH₄, and using adult thresholds might lead to underdiagnosis. Therefore, using the 10 ppm threshold for CH₄ in children could be considered a conservative measure, ensuring that cases of methanogen overgrowth are not over-diagnosed with the adult threshold for CH₄ production.

Given this data, it seems prudent to maintain the adult threshold of 10 ppm for CH₄ in children. This threshold is less prone to false positives in children. A positive result in children can be confidently interpreted as evidence of CH₄ overproduction and potentially linked to conditions like IMO. However, a negative result may still leave some uncertainty, as the lower prevalence of methanogens in children might mean that the absence of detectable CH₄ does not entirely rule out the possibility of overgrowth in a child with low but metabolically active methanogenic populations.

Lactose and Fructose Intolerance Testing:

Once SIBO or IMO has been ruled out, testing for lactose and fructose intolerance can proceed. The same substrates used in adult testing—25 g of lactose or fructose—may be used in children. Nevertheless, because of shorter oro-caecal transit times in children, there is a greater chance of obtaining false-positive results.

Clinicians should be mindful of the fact that a 25 g dose of lactose or fructose might exceed the typical absorption capacity for a child. This also could lead to false-positive test results that do not necessarily reflect the child’s usual dietary intake, which may only involve smaller quantities of these sugars.

A negative result is generally more reliable despite the intake of a high adult dose of substrates and the increased chance of quick oro-caecal transit or reduced absorption capacity in children.

Oro-Caecal Transit Time and Confirmation of Results:

One of the complexities in interpreting breath test results, especially in children, is determining whether a rise in H₂ or CH₄ is truly indicative of SIBO or simply reflects normal oro-caecal transit.
Scintigraphy can be used to confirm the oro-caecal transit time, and clinicians should ensure that the time to reach the caecum matches the expected timing seen in the breath test. This step can help prevent false positives and improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Limitations of Alternative Tests for Lactose Intolerance Compared to HMBT:

Another alternative way to test lactose intolerance is genetic testing (LCT gene), some clinicians may consider an LCT gene or intestinal biopsy for lactose intolerance. While genetic testing can be useful, particularly for identifying congenital lactase deficiency (CLD), it has limitations. Acquired lactose intolerance, which is the most common form, is not uniformly detectable through genetic testing because lactase production can vary along the intestinal lining. A biopsy, similarly, may yield false-negative or false-positive results depending on where the sample is taken. LCT has no value in monitoring response to treatment or dietary changes. It is also important to note that not all individuals with a positive LCT test are intolerant to lactose in real life.

An alternative diagnostic method is the lactose tolerance test (LTT), which involves measuring blood glucose levels after lactose ingestion. If lactose is properly digested, blood glucose levels should rise. However, this test has not been standardised for children, and there is considerable variability in how it is performed and interpreted, making it less reliable than breath testing in paediatric populations.

HMBT offers several advantages over these methods. Breath testing provides a non-invasive way to directly measure the presence of H₂ and CH₄ gases produced by the fermentation of undigested lactose in the colon. This method is particularly effective because it can detect lactose malabsorption regardless of its cause, whether congenital or acquired. Additionally, breath testing allows for monitoring of response to treatment or dietary changes, offering a more comprehensive approach to managing lactose intolerance.

Conclusion and Future Directions:

HMBT remains one of the most reliable diagnostic tools for assessing SIBO and carbohydrate malabsorption. While there is no definitive paediatric protocol, the North American Consensus guidelines provide a solid foundation for adapting adult protocols to younger patients.
Clinicians should exercise caution when interpreting positive results, especially in cases where substrate doses may be too high for children or where faster oro-caecal transit times could result in false positives. In all cases, ruling out SIBO or IMO should be the first step, as treating these underlying conditions can often resolve symptoms of intolerance.

HMBT remains the most practical approach for diagnosing SIBO and carbohydrate malabsorption in paediatric patients. However, more research is needed to refine protocols, establish paediatric-specific thresholds, and improve the accuracy of testing and interpretation in this vulnerable population.

HMBT with the Gastrolyzer® range:

For over 48 years, Bedfont® Scientific Limited has specialised in designing and manufacturing breath analysis medical devices. Using innovative technology, it provides cutting-edge solutions at affordable prices to improve accessibility and healthcare standards worldwide. Bedfont® produces the Gastrolyzer® range of non-invasive breath testers that help detect gastrointestinal disorders, one breath at a time. This range includes the Gastro⁺™, which measures H₂, and the GastroCH₄ECK®, which measures H₂, CH₄, and O₂, delivering instant results, recorded in parts per million (ppm).

Visit https://www.gastrolyzer.com/ to learn how to support your patients with the HMBT devices from Bedfont® Scientific Limited.

References:

• Rezaie, A., et al. (2017). “Hydrogen and Methane-Based Breath Testing in Gastrointestinal Disorders: The North American Consensus.” American Journal of Gastroenterology, 112(5), 775-784.
• Di Lorenzo, C., et al. (2019). “Gastrointestinal Motility in Children.” Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 68(6), 759-770.
• Furnari, M., et al. (2018). “Breath Tests for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Comprehensive Review.” Gut and Liver, 12(4), 403-412.
• He, T., et al. (2017). “Lactose Intolerance and Genetic Testing: An Overview.” European Journal of Pediatrics, 176(8), 1113-1121.
• Szajewska, H., et al. (2018). “Lactose Intolerance in Children: A Position Paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN).” Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 66(1), 165-174.
• Vanderhaeghen, S., Lacroix, C., & Schwab, C. (2015). “Methanogen communities in stools of humans of different age and health status and co-occurrence with bacteria.” FEMS Microbiology Letters, 362(13), fnv092.
• Ghali, M. B., et al. (2017). “Gut methanogens: Methanobrevibacter smithii and health in children and adults.” Journals of Microbiology.
• Nature Reviews Microbiology. (2017). “The gut microbiome and its role in health and disease”.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited partners with Selig De Colombia to bring the Gastrolyzer® range of HMBT devices to Colombia.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, word leaders in breath analysis with over 48 years of knowledge and expertise in designing and manufacturing innovative medical breath analysis devices, are thrilled to have joined forces with Selig De Colombia. Specialising in nuclear medicine, medical devices and disinfection technologies, Selig De Colombia successfully completed registration for the Gastrolyzer® range of hydrogen and methane breath test (HMBT) devices in November 2024.

Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont®, comments, “We are thrilled with the registration of the Gastrolyzer® range. The partnership with Selig De Colombia represents a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions to the healthcare industry worldwide. Collaborating with a trusted leader like Selig De Colombia ultimately improves patient outcomes in Colombia.”

With it’s strong commitment to providing healthcare professionals with the highest-quality technology and customer service, Selig De Colombia aligns perfectly with Bedfont’s core values, making it a perfect choice for becoming a distributor in the Colombia region.

With the first shipment delivered in January, the partnership advances Bedfont’s vision of a world where everyone can access instant, non-invasive, simple breath testing to aid medical diagnosis. To find out more about HBMT testing with the Gastrolyzer® range, read our latest article, ‘Importance of Quality Control in Hydrogen Methane Breath Testing’ by Dr Jafar Jafari, director of GI Cognition and Head of Upper GI Physiology at the Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital.

For more information on Bedfont® breath analysis devices, please visit our website by clicking here.

In November 2024, the British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), and the National Institute of Care Excellence (NICE) asthma guidelines¹ were released superseding the previously separate guidelines from BTS/SIGN² and NICE³. The new joint guideline, based on current clinical evidence and cost-effective modelling, clears up the previous uncertainty about the diagnosis and routine management of asthma. This resource will help understand where Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) is recommended and how, by following the guidelines, there is potential income for the practice.

What does FeNO measure?

FeNO is a measurement of exhaled nitric oxide. This is normal in exhaled breath as a part of the respiratory process but is raised in the presence of eosinophilic airway inflammation, which is present in the majority of people with uncontrolled asthma symptoms. Patients at presentation are likely to have a raised FeNO level if they are not taking inhaled steroid treatment, even if they are asymptomatic on the day of testing.

What do the new guidelines say?

In adults, the guidelines recommend either blood eosinophils or FeNO as the immediate test. FeNO has the advantage of an instant result reducing the need for a second consultation to review the results. Blood eosinophils are a systemic marker so can be influenced by medication or other illnesses.

The new joint guideline states that if the FeNO result is raised above 50 ppb, and supports the clinical history and examination of the patient, no further testing is required – this is adequate to diagnose asthma. If the result is less than 50ppb but the history and examination indicate asthma as a likely diagnosis, then further testing will be required (spirometry with bronchodilator reversibility, peak flow diary charting in the absence or delay in accessing spirometry availability). If both FeNO and spirometry do not confirm the diagnosis the patient will require referral for bronchial challenge testing.

In children the first-line recommended objective test to support a diagnosis of asthma in a child with a history suggestive of asthma is FeNO – there is no alternative first-line test recommended so primary care must have access to FeNO testing for all children presenting without delay.  The diagnostic level in children is 35 ppb. Again, if FeNO is raised, there is no need for further testing and a diagnosis can be made. If the FeNO result is below 35 ppb then spirometry with reversibility should be performed, or in the absence or delay in accessing spirometry a peak flow diary chart can be substituted. If spirometry also does not confirm asthma, the child will need either skin prick testing for house dust mite, or blood tests for eosinophils and total IgE. Blood tests are further along the diagnostic algorithm as it is less acceptable to children and parents.

The joint guidelines now recommend FeNO testing in certain areas of ongoing management. FeNO is recommended at routine review and before increasing medication, and specifically, once a patient is on a moderate dose Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) regime, but still symptomatic to guide the need for specialist referral for consideration of biologics or increased non-steroid medication.

Using FeNO – benefits to practices

Time is a precious commodity in primary care. Access to FeNO testing to confirm a diagnosis of asthma has the potential for diagnosis to be made in a single visit as test results are instantly available. Different models of testing work well. It may be that all clinicians can perform and code a FeNO test at initial consultation, start inhaled therapy, and then review with the appropriate in-house asthma specialist where steroid naive results and response to treatment can be reviewed.

In England, practices strive to accomplish maximal Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF)⁴ points to maintain practice income and fund expenses such as purchase and maintenance of equipment for example, FeNO devices. Currently, the QoF requirement for diagnosis of asthma is spirometry and one other test such as FeNO, bronchodilator reversibility or measures of variability. With the change in the BTS/SIGN/NICE guideline this will change in line with the guideline recommendations with the requirement that practices perform at least one objective test that indicates asthma. In adults initially, this could be FeNO or blood eosinophils, in children the initial test must be FeNO.

QoF points and payments

The QoF section for asthma diagnosis currently offers a maximum of 15 points. To achieve this the practice must hold an asthma register which is based on SNOMED coding- a structured clinical vocabulary for use in an electronic health record, and must have performed (and coded) the appropriate objective tests to confirm diagnosis. The practice does not need to achieve 100% to receive maximal payment.

One point in the QoF framework payment currently earns the practice £220.62 therefore if a practice successfully achieves maximal points the payment for this indicator for a year is 15 points at £220.62 totalling £3309.30 annually.

In some areas, additional payments might be achieved from locally agreed arrangements such as local enhanced service agreements.

NObreath® FeNO Device

The NObreath® FeNO device offers a significant advantage in aiding asthma diagnosis and management. The NObreath® is a non-invasive and easy-to-use tool that provides instant results, streamlining the process for patients and healthcare providers. Compared to other QoF-recommended tests, such as the bronchodilator reversibility test, which can take up to an hour, a FeNO test saves valuable time. By providing immediate results, the NObreath® supports efficient clinical decision-making, enhances patient experience, and helps practices meet QoF requirements effectively and effortlessly.

Disclaimer

All costs and figures mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication. Prices and other financial details are subject to change and may vary over time. We recommend checking with the relevant sources for the most up-to-date information

References:

1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2024) Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (BTS, NICE, SIGN) NG 245 Available from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245/chapter/Recommendations#principles-of-pharmacological-treatment [Last accessed 2.1.25]
2. British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (2019) Guideline for the management of asthma. Available from https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/quality-improvement/guidelines/asthma/ [Last accessed 2/1/25]
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2017) Asthma NG 80. Archived and replaced by NG 245
4. NHS England (2024) Quality and Outcomes Framework Guidance for 24/25 Available from https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PRN01104-Quality-and-outcomes-framework-guidance-for-2024-25.pdf [Last accessed 2.1.25]

Following a summer of community engagement in the Shaun in the Heart of Kent art trail; Bedfont® awards a prize for finding ‘Shorn the Return’.

Bedfont® Scientific Ltd., a world leader in breath analysis with over 47 years of expertise in manufacturing medical breath analysis devices, teamed up with Heart of Kent Hospice this summer as a sponsor of a Shaun the Sheep sculpture in the hugely successful Shaun in the Heart of Kent art trail. The trail, held in Maidstone, saw thousands of people take part, following the route in and around the Maidstone area.

The CELLER8® is an easy-to-use, portable device which uses electromagnetic fields to promote healing processes in the body, which when used at different frequencies can stimulate and encourage your body’s natural recovery process. PEMF can be used to help relaxation, enhance energy levels, support health and wellness and improve sleep. The CELLER8® is a device manufactured by Bedfont® and sold exclusively through NewMed Limited, which has extensive knowledge and expertise in PEMF therapy.

Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. commented “We are delighted to have been part of such a meaningful initiative, sponsoring a sculpture for the Shaun in the Heart of Kent trail. Supporting Heart of Kent Hospice in this creative and engaging project was truly inspiring, and seeing the community come together for such a great cause has been heartwarming. We are thrilled to gift a CELLER8® device to a participant with the help of NewMed.”

The NewMed team were on hand on the day to give a full and informative demonstration on how to use the device, explaining what settings would best benefit her.

Andy Smith, CEO and Founder at NewMed Ltd says “Supporting community initiatives like the Shaun the Sheep Trail means a lot to us at NewMed. Partnering with Bedfont® and the Heart of Kent Hospice allows us to bring the benefits of CELLER8® PEMF therapy to a wider audience.”

With the trail now complete, Bedfont® will continue to support Heart of Kent Hospice through various initiatives and events. To keep up to date with fundraising efforts for the hospice, follow @BedfontLtd on social media. To find out more about Bedfont®, please visit www.bedfont.com.

To find out more about how CELLER8® can help you, please visit www.celler8.com or follow celler8_ on Instagram.

Double Victory for Bedfont®: Crowned ‘Medium Business of the Year 2024 and ‘Best of Kent’.

Bedfont®, located in Harrietsham, Kent, has over 48 years of expertise in designing and manufacturing medical breath analysis devices. Bedfont® was delighted to win Medium Business of the Year 2024 and Best of Kent at the Kent Business Awards. The event was held at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel on Wednesday, December 4th, where businesses from across the region came together to celebrate this year’s outstanding achievements.

Bedfont® was recognised in the Medium Business category, celebrating the team’s hard work and commitment, sustainable growth, and commercial success. The recognition also highlights Bedfont’s positive and proactive approach to occupational health and wellbeing strategies.

The Bedfont® team was impressed by the amazing achievements of all nominees on the night. Facing tough competition, Bedfont® proudly triumphed as the Medium Business of the Year 2024. But the celebrations did not stop there – just after Bedfont® was crowned as Medium Business of the Year, they were announced winners of the final category, “Best of Kent.”

The Best of Kent category examined over 500 finalists in the Kent Business Awards, with Bedfont® emerging as the overall winner. This recognition highlights the company’s strong financial growth and contribution to changing lives through its innovative breath analysis devices.

Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont® Scientific, comments, “Winning the Medium Business of the Year and Best of Kent at the Kent Business Awards is a tremendous honour and a testament to the incredible efforts of our team. These awards highlight our commitment to excellence in business and our focus on creating a workplace where health and well-being thrive. We are proud to be recognised among many outstanding companies and congratulate all the finalists and winners. This achievement motivates us to continue positively impacting our employees, customers, and the wider community.”

These award wins mark a significant milestone for the business, highlighting its commitment to excellence in business performance and fostering a supporting workplace culture. For more information on Bedfont®, please visit http://www.bedfont.com or follow @BedfontLtd on social media.

Stoptober takes place every October in the UK. Launched in 2012, the campaign encourages smokers to quit for 28 days. The theme for 2024 is ‘When you stop smoking, good things start to happen’. Bedfont® Scientific Ltd., world leaders in breath analysis, hosted a discussion with Smokerlyzer® Medical Advisory Board Members Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin and Dr Anne Yee. The panel explored the impact Stoptober has on people’s quit smoking attempts as well as, the efforts made in their native Malaysia in regards to smoking cessation.

The discussion covered some interesting subjects around smoking cessation, including Stoptober, smoking cessation efforts in Malaysia, the increasing prevalence of vaping and the role carbon monoxide (CO) devices play in helping individuals quit smoking.

What is Stoptober?

Stoptober is now in its 14^th year; this month-long UK public health campaign encourages smokers to quit for 28 days. Research has shown that if you stop smoking for 28 days, you are 5 times more likely to quit for good¹. This campaign is designed to make quitting smoking more achievable by providing structured support during October, with the ultimate goal of improving public health.

How have marketing regulations around smoking-related products influenced smoking habits and cessation efforts?

Ultimately, we want people to attempt to quit smoking and the environment around those people to support that attempt. This can be done by:

• Giving people the opportunity to quit,
• Advertise and encourage people to quit,
• Provide people with stop smoking aids

The impetus of Stoptober has helped assist people to stop smoking and there are a variety of initiatives within the campaign that are quite useful. Quit smoking aids have been made highly accessible and it has driven healthcare providers to have the materials available to assist people’s quit attempts.

It is estimated that every Stoptober, around 300 – 400 thousand people in the UK attempt to quit smoking². The campaign creates a sense of community, promoting quitting together with a clear structure of 28 days. These points are what make Stoptober so successful.

Are there any behavioural or psychological mechanisms during Stoptober that increase the chance of stopping smoking for good?

During October, as individuals are driven to quit, they are provided with every opportunity to quit. The digital health programme by the University College London (UCL) empowers those who want to quit on their own to do so, but providing a digital app, means those people are not actually on their own. Those who prefer face-to-face interaction have access to stop-smoking clinics across the country.

Stoptober is supported by the government, which drives an actionable campaign for those who want to quit and quit together in masses. This is where the communal effort is helpful, support from others going through the same experience can help.

A good example of communal effort is Ramadan, Ramadan is an Islamic holy month where Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. As Muslims are required to abstain from smoking during fasting hours, this provides the perfect opportunity for Muslims to quit smoking indefinitely and can act as a natural starting point to quit smoking.

Government-led initiatives should not just be one-offs, there should be regular or continuous efforts. People’s motivation to quit smoking should not just be 1 month of the year, in May we have World No Tobacco Day, which then leads to Stoptober and then leads to the New Year when smokers are inspired to make a change and attempt to quit again if they previously were unsuccessful. Eventually, if the cycle continues, people will be more likely to quit for good.

What is happening in Malaysia concerning smoking cessation efforts?

The UK has a goal to be smoke-free by 2030, are there any similar targets in Malaysia?

Malaysia’s goal is to be smoke-free by 2040, reduced from the 2045 date originally set. This allows Malaysia 15 years to plan and strategize how they aim to meet this goal.

Does Malaysia face any unique challenges in comparison to other countries, about reducing smoking rates?

If this question had been asked this time last year, the biggest challenge would have been that Malaysia did not have a Tobacco Control Act, but thankfully this was enforced in October 2024.

Whilst there are some unique challenges, Malaysia faces the same barriers as many other countries in reducing smoking prevalence. Smoking rates are higher among individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds compared to those from wealthy backgrounds³. There is a link between poverty stress and smoking, making it more difficult for this group to quit, especially as they lack access to smoking cessation clinics, support and resources.

Higher rates of smoking are found among certain populations in Malaysia such as:

• People with mental health conditions,
• The homeless,
• People in prison,
• People who use illicit drugs.

Higher rates of smoking are also found across different regions in Malaysia and this is likely to be down to the difference in funding and resources available in those locations. In rural areas, even if someone wanted to give up smoking, they would find it hard, due to the lack of help in those areas.

The biggest concern currently in Malaysia is the rise of vaping among young people. In 2011, the prevalence of vaping in young people was around 0.8%, rising to 5.8% in 2023⁴. Resources are now being used to encourage this group of people to quit smoking and vaping.

What role do CO monitoring devices play in helping individuals quit smoking and how effective are they as a motivational tool?

CO devices play an important role in smoking cessation programmes as they offer immediate and tangible feedback to smokers on their CO levels. It is also a key indicator of how smoking impacts the body, providing real-time feedback on the immediate effects of their smoking behaviour. It also shows the results of their daily, weekly and monthly efforts to give up smoking by showing the reduction in CO levels.

Research has shown that those who used a CO device during their quit attempt have higher success rates than those who did not⁵.

We live in a digital world and these devices have the opportunity to integrate with digital health forms, allowing smokers to monitor their progress over time. The Bedfont® iCOquit® Smokerlyzer® does just that.

Malaysia has developed a digital health tool ‘GEMPAQ’ (Getting Every Smoker to Participate and Quit). The app offers smokers a convenient and accessible platform to receive tailored support to help them quit smoking. If this app could be integrated with the Smokerlyzer® devices, it would be a big help to those who want to quit smoking.

In summary, CO devices like the Smokerlyzer® range help to maintain that motivation to keep up with a person’s quit attempt and help them to maintain a no-smoking status. Immediate biofeedback is particularly helpful for some smokers, allowing them to see their quit attempt manifesting positively through the reduction of CO in their respiratory system, which correlates with the improvement of their overall health.

What advice can be given to someone who relapses after Stoptober?

Evidence suggests that the more times you attempt to quit, the more likely it is you will succeed. Stoptober is a great opportunity to re-attempt to quit if a previous attempt has failed earlier in the year.

Both Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin and Dr Anne Yee say “You learn something from each quit attempt, making you stronger to face the next attempt. Each time you gain knowledge and can expand the support network, giving you a better chance of succeeding.”

The discussion covered some very important and interesting topics. To watch the full discussion, see below:

If you enjoyed our expert discussion on Stoptober, be sure to watch our previous discussion on World No Tobacco Day, featuring Dr Amer, Dr Anne and external guest speaker Professor Christopher Bullen.

References

1. Gov.uk. Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Neil O’Brien MP. [cited on 22/8/24] Available from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/95-of-ex-smokers-see-positive-changes-soon-after-quitting#:~:text=Stoptober%20is%20based%20on%20evidence,likely%20to%20quit%20for%20good.

2. ucl.ac.uk. UCL. [cited on 17/10/24] Available from https://www.ucl.ac.uk/impact/case-studies/2022/apr/ucl-research-informs-stoptober-helping-thousands-quit-smoking

3. BMC Public Health. Hock Kuang lim, Sumarni Mohd Ghazali, Cheong Chee Kee, Kuay Kuang Lim, Ying Ying Chan, Huey Chien The, Ahmad Faudzi Mohd Yusoff, Gurpreet Kaur, Zarinah Mohd Zain, Mohamad Haniki Niki Mohamad & Sallehuddin Salleh. [cited on 16/10/24] Available from https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-13-8

4. nst.com.my. Hana Naz Harun, Fuad Nizam. [cited on 16/10/24] Available from https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1051419/600-pct-increase-e-cigarette-users-2023-2011-updated

5. pcrs-uk.org. Noel Baxter. [cited on 16/10/24] Available from https://www.pcrs-uk.org/sites/default/files/CarbonMonoxideTesting.pdf

The new Bluetooth^® CO monitor from Bedfont^® Scientific Ltd. has helped Stop Smoking Clinics to continue giving essential advice to its patients through remote CO monitoring

Medical device manufacturer, Bedfont^®, has launched its new iCOquit^® – a portable, personal Bluetooth^® Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitor to help people quit smoking, which is helping Stop Smoking Services to support their patients remotely during the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to the NHS, “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK”, responsible for around 78,000 deaths each year, in addition to even more suffering from “debilitating smoking-related illnesses”¹. Carbon monoxide monitoring is a very effective tool in smoking cessation; it can validate a person’s smoking status and acts as a great motivational tool for the patient, showing them visible proof of harm caused by tobacco smoking, plus, studies show that smokers who use CO monitoring during their quit attempt are more likely to be successful².

Despite face-to-face smoking cessation consultations being postponed due to the pandemic, now thanks to the iCOquit^®, patients can quickly and easily monitor their CO levels at home to receive instant results on their smartphone or tablet, and share them directly with their Stop Smoking Advisor. This means they can receive instant CO validation of smoking status, and Advisors can better maintain provision of stop smoking medication in addition to providing remote behavioural support.

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont Scientific Ltd, explains, “The Smokerlyzer range of CO monitors has been helping people quit smoking in clinics for over 40 years. With the evolving healthcare markets and improvements in personal healthcare technology, we wanted to put all those years of experience into creating a device for people to use anytime, anywhere, so they could really invest in their quit smoking attempts in-between their Stop Smoking consultations. We are now working alongside several Key Opinion Leaders to put together educational resources to help people adapt to remote CO monitoring, and with the iCOquit^®, it couldn’t be easier.”

To see how the iCOquit^®️ is helping with remote CO monitoring, watch our video here: https://youtu.be/f3bSLspUVP8

-ends-

References

1. What are the health risks of smoking? [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2021 [cited 1 February 2021]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/what-are-the-health-risks-of-smoking/#:~:text=Smoking%20is%20one%20of%20the,than%2050%20serious%20health%20conditions.
2. Shahab L, West R, McNeill A. A randomized, controlled trial of adding expired carbon monoxide feedback to brief stop smoking advice: Evaluation of cognitive and behavioral effects. Health Psychology. 2011;30(1):49-57.