HSE anti-smoking campaign to use real-life experiences
The short film, which is being aired on TV and online, was signed off on by senior health officials in an attempt to convince more smokers to quit the habit for the sake of their loved ones.
The campaign focuses on the story of Wexford mother of two Pauline Bell, whose husband George passed away from a heart attack three years ago.
George, his widow said, was a heavy smoker who “never thought that 48 would be his time to go”.
Speaking about the three-minute film, the HSE’s director of public health, Dr Fenton Howell, said highlighting the experiences of people like Pauline can convince those whose lives can still be saved to give up smoking.
“Evidence from all over the world has shown the impact that real life, personal stories can have on smokers’ drive to quit.
“We spoke in detail to Irish smokers before we started this campaign and they told us that this ‘one in every two’ statistic was powerful, and that using real life stories to illustrate it would motivate them to stop smoking.
“We’re very grateful to Pauline and her family, and all the other people who are bringing this campaign to life by telling their stories. They are central to the meaning and success of this campaign,” he said.
The film, which can also be viewed at quit.ie and Facebook page “HSEquit”, is part of the health service’s ongoing anti-smoking Quit campaign, which stresses that one in two people could die from a tobacco-related disease.
Since the campaign was launched in June, more than 5,000 people have signed up for online Quit plans — up almost 300% on a similar initiative last year.
Calls to the National Smokers’ Quitline, 1850 201203, and referrals to HSE smoking cessation clinics have also risen by 50% compared to the same period in 2010, while visits to quit.ie have increased by 170%.
According to the HSE, smoking is the single biggest cause of illness, disability and death in this country, with approximately 5,500 of Ireland’s one million smokers dying each year of a tobacco-related disease.
* www.quit.ie
