LIFE-ALTERING gadgets based on clothes hangers, screwdrivers and a lid opener may sound like a plot twist from classic 80s show MacGyver, but they can have just as vital an impact on someone outside the fictional TV world.

A CAR that drives itself; a lawn that never grows so you don’t have to cut it; a house that needs no cleaning.

A REPORT that is to be published on Monday has found that 34% of people in low income groups smoke, compared with 27% of the overall population, but more than one in 10 said they would like to quit, compared to 8% of those in higher income groups.

The Government was today urged to roll out more support services to help smokers kick their addiction as research revealed 90% of people would find it tough to quit.

NINE out of 10 smokers believe they are addicted or would find it hard to quit and those who tried to stop made around four failed attempts, research shows.

A EUROPEAN-WIDE awareness campaign for people suffering from neuropathic pain has been launched.

Teenagers who smoke believe they are not healthy but persist with their habit because they think it’s “cool”, research published today reveals.

THREE-quarters of the population is unaware that a disease that blocks the lung’s airways is Ireland’s fourth leading cause of death, research reveals.

POTTERING about in the garden has long been regarded as a health-enhancing activity for people of all ages.

RESEARCH showing that two-thirds of Irish women never experienced a poor sexual life has been challenged by a doctor who believes the true figure is closer to 5%.

Counterfeit medicines are putting the public’s lives at risk, experts warned today.

A health report comparing health attitudes, beliefs and status among Irish and non-Irish nationals will be launched today.

DRAGONFLIES and Flutterbys was the winning entry at Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening showcase in the Phoenix Park, Dublin yesterday.

GETTING down and dirty in the garden is an excellent form of exercise, a doctor has claimed.

Pfizer have announced the appointment of Dave Gallagher as manager of Pfizer Healthcare Ireland.

MORE than 1,000 people took part in a health screening programme at last week’s National and World Ploughing Championships in Grangeford, Co Carlow.

BRING the wellies and the brollies.

Only 5% of adults aged 40 and over know the recommended level of cholesterol, a survey uncovers today.

IRISH people will die if nothing is done to stop the Europe-wide increase in the sale of counterfeit drugs, an expert on pharmaceutical fraud warned yesterday.

A PROGRAMME that provides health checks on men at the National Ploughing Championships is set to be expanded due to increased demand.

A SHOCKING 50% of people screened for raised blood pressure or high cholesterol during the National Ploughing Championships were advised to see their GP within 24 hours because their health was deemed to be seriously at risk.

PFIZER Healthcare Ireland screened 100 people during a free health check on the opening day of the National Ploughing Championships and referred 50 of them to their general practitioner for either raised blood pressure or high cholesterol.