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.

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Notes to editors:

1. 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.
2. 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.