New Year ads encourage smokers to kick the habit

The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) will be encouraging smokers to start thinking about making the decision to kick the habit as one of their New Year Resolutions by running the graphic Every cigarette is doing you damage television advertising campaign this weekend and into January.

Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, commented: “The advertising is being shown at an opportune time for those people who are thinking about stopping smoking to encourage them to commit to being smoke-free in 2004. However, it is not just smokers we hope to encourage to stop for New Year but we would also like to highlight the need for pub and restaurant owners to seriously consider making their premises smoke-free.

“A recent survey which questioned people on their attitudes to smoking showed that most were in favour of a ban on smoking in specific areas. For instance, when asked if smoking should be banned in all restaurants around three out of every five people surveyed agreed with this statement. This clearly shows that people do not want an enjoyable evening ruined by smoke and that most people here expect a smoke free environment.”

This year almost 17,000 (one per cent of Northern Ireland’s 1.69m population) people have stopped smoking and it is hoped that next year this number will improve even further. The HPA has been working with a range of organisations and groups to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and the need to provide support to smokers who wish to stop.

Dr Gaffney concluded: “Although the figures are going in the right direction, we want to do more to encourage people to stop smoking. The advertising campaign over New Year and into January will give the facts about smoking to people when they are making resolutions about their health and lifestyle.”

Although the advertisements are hard hitting they are accompanied by a helpline number for people to contact for further information. The advertising will commence on Saturday 27 December and run until the end of January 2004.

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Notes to the editor
There will be a media facility at the HPA, 18 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast on Monday 22 December 2003 at 10:30am when Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, will be available for interview.

1. There are a number of smoking cessation services available for people in Northern Ireland. These can be accessed through Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts and the Ulster Cancer Foundation. The Smokers’ Helpline on 0800 858585 will be able to direct people to support services. Support and advice for smokers can also be obtained through GPs and pharmacists.
2. Survey figures taken from the Northern Ireland Social Omnibus Survey – HPA Heart Health Questionnaire 2003 (unpublished).
3. Smoking/population figures from the Continuous Household Survey, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. 26% of all adults smoked in 2002/3 compared with 27% in 2000/1. Since 1984 the figure has fallen by seven per cent from 33% to 26%.

Further information contact:
Jenny Dougan on 028 9031 1611.