Sad reality of the ‘1 in every 2 statistic’ illustrated in new HSE QUIT TV advert  

7th November 2011

The HSE today begins broadcast of a new QUIT campaign television advert and online film that exposes the sad reality of losing a loved one to a tobacco related disease. Since its launch in June of this year, the QUIT campaign has been focusing on one key fact – that 1 in every 2 smokers will die of a tobacco related disease. This new phase of the campaign uses real people to bring that fact to life, in the words of those left behind.

Pauline Bell from Wexford is a mother of two. Three years ago her husband George died from a heart attack at 48 years of age. George was a heavy smoker. Pauline has volunteered to tell her and George’s story as part of the QUIT campaign. She talks about what a great husband he was, how ‘he loved his cigarettes, but never thought that at 48, that would be his time to go’, and how she, her children and their family has been affected by his loss. She hopes to inspire others to quit – for their own health, and to prevent other families experiencing what they have been through.

Dr. Fenton Howell from the HSE outlines why the HSE has taken this approach to the QUIT campaign: ‘Evidence from all over the world has shown the impact that real-life, personal stories, like Pauline and George’s, 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 ‘1 in every 2’ 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.’

The new tv ad and the 3 minute short film of Pauline’s story can be viewed on HSE.ie and facebook.com/HSEquit.

Results to date for the QUIT campaign show that the 1 in every 2 statistic has hit home with smokers in Ireland, with many choosing to get help and support for their Quit attempt online and in person. Over 5,000 people have signed up for online QUITplans since the campaign started in June, nearly a 300% increase on the same period in 2010. Visits to www.QUIT.ie have increased 170%, and calls to the National Smokers’ Quitline 1850 201 203 and referrals to our Smoking Cessation Clinics increased by 50% compared to last year. The HSE’s You can QUIT Facebook page was created for this campaign, and has over 13,500 Likes to day, with many of them choosing to share their experiences and seek support from each other.

Fenton Howell welcomed these positive results, but said that ‘there are about 1 million smokers in Ireland and unfortunately, 1 in every 2 of those smokers will die of a tobacco related disease. Look around you - we all know someone who will be affected by a tobacco related illness. Our campaign is helping people to try to quit, and ultimately aims to save lives’.

‘Quitters can double their chance of success if they use supports such as the QUIT.ie website, the National Smokers’ Quitline 1850 201 203, medications or free HSE Smoking Cessation Clinics. ‘I would encourage those who are thinking about quitting, or are currently in the process of quitting, to get some support. There are 1 million former smokers in Ireland and in all my years working in this area, I have never met anyone who regretted quitting.’

Dr. Fenton Howell concluded: ‘You can QUIT, it’s never too late to try, or try again. Check out our QUIT.ie website, call the Quitline, join a smoking cessation course, visit your GP or pharmacist, talk to your dentist or join us on Facebook – the help will help.’

3 min SHORT FILM - http://youtu.be/YvZUPV18-hI  
30 sec TV ad - http://youtu.be/ARPI5TK4koc  


If you want help to QUIT smoking:

Call the National Smokers’ Quitline 1850 201 203
Visit www.quit.ie  
Join www.facebook.com/HSEquit
Contact your local HSE smoking cessation counsellor
Talk to your GP, Pharmacist or Dentist

Comments made by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization in an Address to the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, Sixty-second session in Manilla, Philippines on 10th October 2011

"Big Tobacco’s efforts to subvert the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control have reached new heights. Tactics that were previously covert are now out in the open and extremely aggressive.

The high-profile commercial and investment arbitrations targeting Uruguay and Australia are deliberately designed to instil fear in other countries wishing to introduce similarly tough tobacco control measures.

Numerous other countries are being subjected to the same kind of aggressive scare tactics. It is hard for any country to bear the financial burden of this kind of litigation, but most especially so for small countries.

I urge all these countries to stand firm together. Do not bow to pressure.

Big Tobacco can afford to hire the best lawyers and PR firms that money can buy. Big Money can speak louder than any moral, ethical, or public health argument, and can trample even the most damning scientific evidence. We have seen this happen before. It is horrific to think that an industry known for its dirty tricks and dirty laundry could be allowed to trump what is clearly in the public’s best interest"

Link to full address by DG WHO: http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2011/wpro_10_10/en/index.html  

Further Information on Westlife’s link with Tobacco

Westlife recently indicated they were not aware of the tobacco sponsorship of a concert they were to play in Jakarta, Indonesia. However, we now place on this website some other material which has been used by the tobacco industry in joint sponsorship with Westlife at other concerts. One shows Westlife in a joint poster with the Peter Stuyvesant brand of tobacco.

http://www.ninegiftshop.com/cigarette_cases/cigarette_cases_details.asp?pid=CC002089  
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westlife-Cigarette-Money-Case-29221606-/270751492254  
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westlife-Cigarette-Money-Card-Box-Case-Holder-New-/180519301401#ht_3611wt_1141  
http://www.amazon.com/CREDIT-CARD-HOLDER-CIGARETTE-CASE/dp/B003HNGEES  

You may wish to contact Westlife in regard to the association of their brand with the tobacco industry.

Last weekend The HSE launched a major media campaign designed to encourage smokers to quit. The campaign is based on the well established fact that 1 in every 2 smokers will die from a tobacco related disease.

People who wish to quit are asked to visit http://www.quit.ie  or

call the National Smokers Quitline on 1850 201 203.

The campaign is being supported by a range of health groups including ASH Ireland.
Further details on…. http://www.ash.ie/News/Latest_News/Navigation.html

At the launch of the HSE Quit campaign were friends and neighbours Michelle Delves and Marian Kilty from Springfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

The Revenue Commissioners have recently established a dedicated Freephone Line where members of the public can report details or concerns re smuggled cigarettes.  The availability of smuggled cigarettes not only affects the economy of this country and represent a significant health risk, they also help to support organised crime.  The confidential freephone is at 1800 295 295.

For current tobacco control news click on http://www.ash.ie/News/National_News/Navigation.html

YOUTH NEWS - Congratulations to Jerry Moran, Aoife Musgrave and Donie O'Sullivan who were awarded the ASH Ireland prize at the BT Young Scientists on 11th January 2008 at the RDS, Dublin for their project "An investigation into a possible link between smoking and the inability to taste PTC".  They are from Colaiste na Sceilge, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry.

Prof. Luke Clancy, presented the ASH Ireland Special Award to three pupils from Colaiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal at the BT Young Scientists Exhibition at the Royal Dublin Society for their project 'Ag Caitheamh Tobac agus Emphysema'.   January 2007