6,500 deaths every year linked to smoking

LIVES lost to smoking in Ireland would equal 90 double-decker bus crashes every year in the country.

Smoking-related illness accounts for the loss of 6,500 lives every year — about 18 people dying every day.

“We know it is not easy to stop smoking. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug but our message is that it’s never too late to stop and it is about finding a way that suits you,” said its chief executive, Michael O’Shea.