Smoking cessation

A new HSE smoking cessation campaign, supported by the Irish Dental Association and other leading health organisations, has launched nationwide.

The health education campaign is based on the fact that 50 per cent of smokers will die of a tobacco-related disease, something that it is believed is not widely known among the general public.

Smoking is the single biggest cause of illness, disability and death in Ireland and the campaign hopes to bring home the serious impact it has, not only on the smoker, but on their friends and family.

Launching the campaign Dr Fenton Howell, HSE Director of Public Health, said: “Surprisingly only 7 per cent of people know that one in every two smokers will die of a tobacco-related disease. Our aim is to make people realise the effect smoking has on their health, and that of their loved ones, and give them encouragement and help to quit.

”We all know someone who has been ill or died as a result of a tobacco-related disease. By prompting smokers to try and quit, by offering support services, encouragement, help and advice we can all encourage smokers to keep trying to quit the habit.”

Around 80 per cent of smokers say they want to quit and 40 per cent attempt to quit every year. The campaign is aiming to highlight the range of supports available to smokers to encourage them to quit, as well as the right advice to ensure their bid to quit is successful.

“Our campaign will remind smokers that it’s never too late,” continued Dr Howell. “Most people try to quit a few times before quitting for good, and each time, they gain skills and confidence that help them to take that permanent step.”

For more information on the campaign, visit http://www.QUIT.ie