Former Dublin footballer, dying of cancer, fronts anti-smoking campaign

A new HSE ad campaign has been launched to warn people about the danger of smoking.

The QUIT campaign tells the story of ex-Dublin footballer Gerry Collins who has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

The Minister for Health James Reilly has welcomed the campaign which begins on TV, radio and online from today.

Dr. Fenton Howell of the National Tobacco Control Advisory says the use of a real life story adds value to the message.

"Smokers… would say they don't want to see actors telling stories that someone's made up. Gerry's not an actor, Gerry's a real guy, a lovely man, who's unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer."

Collins previously recorded a message for the HSE about his battle with throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with in his early 50s.