| Smoking
is a deadly serious issue says HPA on World No Tobacco Day
Today
the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) highlighted the deadly dangers
of smoking in support of World No Tobacco Day, the annual
health campaign which is sponsored by the World Health Organization.
Dr Brian
Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, commented on this year’s
theme, Tobacco - deadly in any form or disguise,
saying: “Tobacco in any form whether it is high, medium
or low tar is absolutely deadly. The manufacturers hope to
bluff people into thinking they aren’t harming themselves
quite as much if they decide to opt for a low or mild tar
cigarette, but this simply is not the case.
“The
bottom line is this: If you smoke, it will have a devastating
effect on your health and will have a major impact on the
health of those around you, particularly if you smoke in front
of them. The dangers of smoking and passive smoking are well
documented, so protecting people from the deadly effects of
this habit is absolutely paramount. The good news for everyone
is that from next April there will be restrictions on smoking
in enclosed public places and this move will benefit everyone’s
health. Not only will it protect individuals from other people’s
tobacco smoke, it may well help those who are trying to quit
to continue their efforts if they are not surrounded by other
smokers.”
Earlier
this year there was overwhelming support from the Northern
Ireland public for legislation to be enacted to protect everyone
from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. Furthermore, a
recent survey revealed that over 90% of young people who participated
in a HPA online poll about the proposed smoking restrictions
were in favour of the move, showing this huge step for public
health here is being supported by all ages.
Dr Gaffney
continued: “We realise that it is not easy for smokers
to give up as it is an addiction which is very difficult to
break. In fact, research has shown that addiction to nicotine
is so strong that, when questioned, more than 50% of heroin
and cocaine users and alcoholics who smoked cigarettes believed
that smoking was harder to quit than their other addictions.¹
“However,
it is not impossible and there is a lot of sound support out
there for those smokers who really are committed to giving
up. This help includes the Smokers’ Helpline which is
a free service offering support, information and advice, and
can be accessed by calling 0800 85 85 85.
The Helpline is staffed by trained counsellors who will also
be able to direct callers to smoking cessation groups in their
area if they wish.”
In Northern
Ireland, 3,000 lives are lost each year as a result of tobacco
related illnesses - and most of these deaths are preventable.
On a global scale, tobacco is now responsible for the death
of 1 in 10 adults worldwide which equates to five million
deaths each year. It is believed that if current smoking patterns
continue, it will cause around 10 million deaths annually
by 2020.
END
Notes
to the editor:
Dr Brian Gaffney will
be available for interview on Wednesday 31 May at the Health
Promotion Agency, 18 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.
For
further information contact:
Jenny Dougan or Rosie McGaughey on 028 9031 1611 or 028 9031
1514.
¹
The
A - Z of Smoking Cessation. Northern Ireland Centre
for Postgraduate Pharmaceutical Education and Training, Queens
University Belfast. 2005 |
