|
Hard-hitting
campaign highlights link between smoking and stroke
The
link between smoking and stroke is the focus of a hard-hitting
anti-smoking campaign launched today at the Health Promotion
Agency by Dr Henrietta Campbell, the Chief Medical Officer
for Northern Ireland, as part of a drive to reduce almost
3,000 premature deaths caused by smoking each year.
The central
television advertisement in this major campaign which will
run until the end of March 2003 shows in graphic detail
the link between smoking and stroke by featuring a blood
clot in the brain of a 38 year old smoker. This is the
second phase in the, Every cigarette is doing you damage,
campaign which aims to raise smokers’ awareness of
the health effects of smoking and in particular that health
damage leading to serious disease starts immediately a
person begin to smoke.
Speaking
during the launch Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of
the Health Promotion Agency, said: “Qualitative research
conducted by the Agency showed that there was limited awareness
of the link between smoking and stroke among smokers. This
advertisement aims to improve knowledge of this health
effect. The images used in the advertisement are graphic
and realistic, and will confront, challenge and perhaps
shock smokers showing that stroke could strike at any time
in their life.”
“The
campaign also aims to raise awareness of the support available
to smokers and we are delighted that today marks the launch
of a new free phone helpline service for Northern Ireland
with the telephone number 0800 858585.
One of the advertisements developed as part of this campaign
will promote the helpline service which will provide valuable
support for those trying to quit.
Dr Gaffney
continued: “Research shows that the first phase of
this campaign which was launched this time last year proved
very effective with three out of five smokers and ex-smokers
who saw the advertisement saying it encouraged them to
stay off or quit cigarettes. Also, the yearly quit rate
increased from 19% to 24% - this means that the increase
in the number of those attempting to quit rose by 20,000
smokers.”
The campaign
also includes television advertisements promoting the range
of nicotine replacement therapies available to help smokers
who are trying to quit, as well as radio, billboard and
bus advertising. A range of printed materials have also
been produced as part of this campaign and will be distributed
to GP surgeries, pharmacies and dentists.
END
The
launch will take place on Tuesday 7 January 2003 at 10:30am
at the Health Promotion Agency, 18 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.
A media facility will be available from 10:15am when Dr
Henrietta Campbell, Chief Medical Officer, and Dr Brian
Gaffney, Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Agency
will be available for interview.
Inpatient
care linked to smoking in Northern Ireland costs £22
million per year and one million working days are lost
each year as a result of smoking.
For those who have made a commitment to giving up there are a number of smoking
cessation services available in Northern Ireland through Health and Social
Services, Boards and Trusts and the Ulster Cancer Foundation. The helpline
will be able to direct those trying to quit to support services in their area.
Support and advice for smokers wanting to stop can also be provided by GPs
and pharmacists. |
