Ads to continue despite death of brave campaigner Gerry Collins

Anti-smoking campaigner Gerry Collins will continue to save countless lives despite his death after his family urged the HSE to go ahead with two new campaigns about his life.

The brave 57-year-old, who tragically lost his battle against lung cancer at the weekend, has in recent months been a high-profile face of the health service’s QUIT anti-smoking campaign.

After originally taking part as a success story in 2011, explaining how he beat throat cancer in 2008, the father-of-three returned to TV screens last year to explain he was dying.

The hard-hitting, extended advert said doctors had diagnosed him with a secondary, terminal, lung cancer last June — a condition linked to how late he eventually quit smoking.

The native of Greystones in Co Wicklow was given less than 12 months to live but, despite initially struggling with the news, urged others to stub out the habit while they have a chance.

Further adverts, due to be broadcast from tomorrow, were filmed in recent weeks with the same hard-hitting message.

However, despite his death, Mr Collins’s family have told the HSE that he wanted the campaign to continue — and for the adverts to be aired as planned.

“This week, from Ash Wednesday on March 5, two new adverts featuring Gerry and his family were due to be aired. In the new adverts he shares more of his story, his thoughts about smoking, his terminal illness and his gratitude for his family and friends.

“He ends these ads with a simple appeal to smokers: ‘don’t smoke, don’t start, and if you have, stop,’” said the Department of Health’s national tobacco control adviser, Dr Fenton Howell.

“Gerry was extremely proud of these ads, and was looking forward to their being aired. It is tragic that he did not live to see them broadcast, or to experience the further admiration, support and gratitude the ads would have delivered to him, and that he so warmly deserves.

“His QUIT campaign adverts were created on the shared understanding with Gerry and his family that they would continue to be used after Gerry had died.

“The Collins family have decided these adverts should be aired as planned this week, in accordance with Gerry’s wishes,” he said.

The comment was echoed by HSE director general, Tony O’Brien, who said Mr Collins’ “bravery” and “unique contribution to the health and well-being of our society” has been “simply extraordinary.”

“We estimate over 60,000 people have made a quit attempt this year, thanks to Gerry — something his family and friends can be deeply proud of,” he said.

In a statement, the Collins family said: “Gerry wanted to make a difference, and we know he did.”

Visit www.quit.ie or call National Smokers’ Quitline on 1850 201203