Irish Cancer Society urges smokers to quit for New Year

The Irish Cancer Society is encouraging all smokers to make quitting one of their New Year's resolutions for 2012.

Research shows that 70% of smokers want to quit and the key to giving up successfully is wanting to stop, being motivated, planning and preparing to quit.

The Society said that stopping smoking is the single most important thing a person can do to improve his or her health.

It is the main cause of preventable death and ill health in Ireland, causing 30% of all cancers.

For information and support on how to kick the habit, people can call the National Smokers' Quitline on 1850 201 203.