Half of all young people starting to smoke today will eventually die due to cigarettes, it was claimed today.
A major EU-wide anti-smoking campaign was launched in Dublin to target teens, women and young adults.
Health Minister Mary Harney said the four-year initiative, ’HELP – ’For A Life Without Tobacco,’ is the first of its kind to run across all 25 EU member states.
The campaign – which will concentrate on smoking prevention, smoking cessation, and the dangers of passive smoking – is aimed primarily at 13-17 year olds and 18-30 year olds.
Anti-smoking campaigner Professor Luke Clancy told today’s launch that half of all young people starting to smoke today will die from the habit.
“Half of the young people starting to smoke now can expect to die from their addiction,” said the respiratory consultant.
“On average, they lose 15 years of their life, and suffer many more years of serious ill health before they die,” he said.
“The workplace ban which applies to places of entertainment and recreation should protect them from other people’s smoke, but we must do everything we can to help our young people not to start, or to give up smoking.”
Welcoming the campaign, Ms Harney said today: “It complements the various campaigns and policies that the Government and health agencies have already undertaken.”
“It’s particularly timely that it is being launched on the anniversary of the workplace smoking ban in Ireland.”
The public awareness and assistance campaign is being directed by the European Commission’s Health and Consumers Directorate.
Tobacco accounts for over 650,000 deaths each year in the 25 EU member states - the single largest cause of death.
The first year of the campaign will involve a roadshow, media advertising, an information website (www.help-eu.com) and a series of promotional events including an EU young people’s consultative body to discuss tobacco-free lifestyles.
Today’s launch was attended by all the major health promotion agencies involved in combating tobacco, including the Office of Tobacco Control, Irish Cancer Society, Irish Heart Foundation and ASH along with the Department of Health & Children’s own Health Promotion Unit.
“Reducing youth smoking is crucial in tobacco control,” said Norma Cronin, Health Promotion Manager with the Irish Cancer Society.
“There’s never been a better time to quit with the comprehensive nationwide support services that are in operation.
“However, we still need to support these activities with on-going awareness measures such as this EU campaign to highlight the benefits of quitting and the support measures that are in place,” added Ms Cronin.