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Anti-smoking
campaign highlights deadly damage to respiratory system
The
Health Promotion Agency today launched the latest phase
of the ‘Every cigarette is doing you damage’ anti-smoking
campaign with an advertisement that graphically depicts
the link between cigarette smoke and the damage it causes
to healthy lungs.
The television
advertising campaign, screened today for the first time,
shows how the lungs are like sponges with millions of tiny
air sacs carrying oxygen around the body. Every time cigarette
smoke is inhaled it attacks these air sacs, rotting the
lungs, which can lead to respiratory problems, including
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a
serious lung disease. COPD is more common than asthma – it
includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema and is principally
caused by smoking.
During
the launch Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the Health
Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, said: “Many
people do not find out that they have COPD until they have
a serious attack of bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis and
emphysema are long-term conditions – both make it
hard to breathe, cause shortness of breath, tiredness and
coughing.
He continued: “Globally
600 million people suffer from COPD and approximately three
million die from this disease each year. Although it is
something that does not go away, it can be treated. For
instance, if a 35 year old smoker with a mild case of COPD
was to give up smoking, their lungs would return to normal.
The single most important step you can take to make your
lungs healthier is to stop smoking. It enables the lungs
to work better for longer and helps prolong life.”
The campaign
includes two additional television advertisements promoting
the range of nicotine replacement therapies available to
help those trying to quit. All advertising further promotes
the freephone helpline service for Northern Ireland, 0800
858585, which has been set up to support those
who want to give up and to encourage ex-smokers to stay
quit.
Dr Gaffney
concluded: “We know from recent research that the
number of adult smokers in Northern Ireland has dropped
by 1%. That means there are 12,500 fewer smokers this year.
Those who have quit have greatly improved their chances
of avoiding major health problems. The unlucky ones are
the smokers who have died as a result of their habit.”
The anti-smoking
public information campaign is funded by the Department
of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and has the
support of a wide range of organisations throughout Northern
Ireland. All are working to reduce the number of preventable
deaths that smoking causes each year.
The television
advertising will run until the end of this month.
END
Notes
to editors:
- The
latest phase of the campaign will be launched at the
Health Promotion Agency, 18 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, on
Wednesday 10 September when Dr Gaffney, Chief Executive
of the Health Promotion Agency, will be available for
interview and the new advertisement will be screened.
The media facility is provided from 10.00am – 11.00am.
- There
are a number of smoking cessation services available
throughout Northern Ireland. These can be accessed through
Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts and the
Ulster Cancer Foundation. Support and advice for smokers
can also be obtained through GPs and pharmacists.
For
further information:
Contact
Jenny Dougan on 028 9031 1611.
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