PHA supports World No Tobacco Day

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is marking World No Tobacco Day (Thursday 31 May) by reminding everyone that smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness, premature death and health inequality throughout Northern Ireland, with approximately 2,300 people dying prematurely each year from smoking-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and many cancers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has selected ‘Tobacco industry interference’ as the theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day.

Gerry Bleakney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement, PHA, said: “Reducing smoking prevalence is one of the biggest challenges we face in public health and the PHA is committed to reducing the prevalence of smoking within Northern Ireland and will continue to work hard to meet the three main objectives outlined in the ‘Ten Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland’ launched in February 2012.

“We know that legislation is vital to reducing the damaging effects of tobacco. The introduction of the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order on 30 April 2007, the Age of Sale legislation introduced in September 2008 and the ban on the sale of tobacco products from vending machines, which came into effect in March 2012 are tobacco control measures introduced to help prevent people from starting to smoke, protect non smokers and encourage smokers to quit.

“The PHA welcomes further consultation currently ongoing on plain packaging of tobacco products which will have an impact on people’s health and reduce the uptake of smoking. We will continue to work closely with the DHSSPS, HSC Trusts and partner organisations in the voluntary sector to prevent the recruitment of new smokers and reduce smoking prevalence in Northern Ireland.”

Gerry added: We know that motivation and support is vital for every smoker who wants to quit and the PHA will continue to provide help to people trying to stop smoking through our ‘Want 2 Stop’ website, which is packed with information on quitting, and through our Smokers’ Helpline.”

Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “Smoking has devastating effects on individuals that smoke and their families. All the measures I am taking in tobacco control are aimed at reducing the appalling toll of death and illness caused by tobacco use.

“Preventing young people from taking up smoking and helping smokers to quit are top priorities in my Department’s tobacco control strategy. I would urge anyone who is thinking about quitting smoking to get help from the wide range of services available.”

For more information and useful tips to stop smoking log on to the PHA’s ‘Want 2 Stop’ website www.want2stop.info  and order a ‘Quit Kit’ free of charge. Alternatively contact the Smokers’ Helpline on 0808 812 8008.