New ways to deliver message - Anti-smoking campaign

Following the globally acknowledged success of Ireland’s ground-breaking ban on smoking in the workplace, a revamped model of the highly effective Quit campaign to help smokers kick their habit has been designed by the HSE.

It is undeniable that tobacco is the single biggest cause of illness, disability, and death in Ireland. That the ban has improved people’s health and enhanced their lifestyle by removing the obnoxious smell of tobacco from clothing is also irrefutable. The idea behind the original HSE campaign remains constant: The more smokers who quit, the more related diseases can be reduced and the less taxpayers’ money will be spent treating them. What’s new is the message will in future go out on a Quit website, supported by a team of counsellors by phone, email, live web chat, and also via Twitter or Facebook. Hard-hitting TV messages will also be used.

With one in every two smokers in Ireland set to die from a tobacco related disease, it is vitally important that the Government hold the line against persistent lobbying by the cash-rich tobacco industry determined to undermine Ireland’s commendable efforts to reduce and ultimately prevent the damage that smoking inflicts on people’s health.

The HSE campaign is based on the fact 80% of smokers say they want to quit, with 40% trying give up smoking every year. So, as smokers make New Year resolutions, it makes sense to provide new technology to help them quit their habit.