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11/02/2010
Quit Call As 'No Smoking Day' Looms
It's nearly time to dump the ciggies - with Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey today joining the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) to urge smokers to take the opportunity of No Smoking Day – Wednesday 10 March – to quit.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, which co-ordinates No Smoking Day in Northern Ireland said: "24% of adults in Northern Ireland smoke and research has shown that over two thirds of them would like to stop.
"By using the support available from UCF on No Smoking Day and throughout the year smokers can significantly increase their chance of success," he said this morning.
Father of four, Paddy Christie (pictured here, centre, with the Minister and Gerry McElw
Paddy said: "I was smoking 25 cigarettes every day for 22 years but after attending UCF's Stop Smoking Clinic I have reduced this to four or five cigarettes per day.
"The money I have saved has been a great incentive to quit for good but my main motivation is the health benefits.
"UCF provided me with weekly one-to-one counselling at my workplace which has helped me learn about my smoking habits and adjust my behaviour towards smoking. Their encouragement has been terrific and with their support I hope to 'break free' for good on No Smoking Day," he said.
NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: "No Smoking Day provides an important opportunity for thousands of smokers who want to quit.
"The annual campaign has been very effective in Northern Ireland compared to other regions in the UK.
"This success is down to the co-ordinated efforts of a number of local statutory and voluntary organisations, including the Ulster Cancer Foundation."
The Minister continued: "In addition to helping smokers to quit, I want to help ensure that children and young people don’t take up the habit in the first place. This is a real priority for my Department."
(BMcC/GK)
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, which co-ordinates No Smoking Day in Northern Ireland said: "24% of adults in Northern Ireland smoke and research has shown that over two thirds of them would like to stop.
"By using the support available from UCF on No Smoking Day and throughout the year smokers can significantly increase their chance of success," he said this morning.
Father of four, Paddy Christie (pictured here, centre, with the Minister and Gerry McElw
Paddy said: "I was smoking 25 cigarettes every day for 22 years but after attending UCF's Stop Smoking Clinic I have reduced this to four or five cigarettes per day.
"The money I have saved has been a great incentive to quit for good but my main motivation is the health benefits.
"UCF provided me with weekly one-to-one counselling at my workplace which has helped me learn about my smoking habits and adjust my behaviour towards smoking. Their encouragement has been terrific and with their support I hope to 'break free' for good on No Smoking Day," he said.
NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: "No Smoking Day provides an important opportunity for thousands of smokers who want to quit.
"The annual campaign has been very effective in Northern Ireland compared to other regions in the UK.
"This success is down to the co-ordinated efforts of a number of local statutory and voluntary organisations, including the Ulster Cancer Foundation."
The Minister continued: "In addition to helping smokers to quit, I want to help ensure that children and young people don’t take up the habit in the first place. This is a real priority for my Department."
(BMcC/GK)
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14 March 2012
NI Smokers Urged To Quit
People are being urged to kick their smoking habit to mark the official No Smoking Day 2012 following claims that 24% of NI's adult population smoke. According to recent statistics smoking still kills almost 2,300 people each year in Northern Ireland and leaves thousands more are living with debilitating illnesses as a result of their addiction.
NI Smokers Urged To Quit
People are being urged to kick their smoking habit to mark the official No Smoking Day 2012 following claims that 24% of NI's adult population smoke. According to recent statistics smoking still kills almost 2,300 people each year in Northern Ireland and leaves thousands more are living with debilitating illnesses as a result of their addiction.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with a few showers at times. Becoming dry in the afternoon and staying mainly cloudy, but some sunshine breaking through particularly in the east. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Quite cloudy across all counties at first but clear spells most likely towards Down and Antrim, becoming widespread through the evening and overnight. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
