We’ve known for a while now that smoking kills…
Unfortunately for smokers, knowing that often doesn’t make it any easier to kick the addictive habit. Nevertheless, the figures pertaining to deaths from smoking in Ireland for 2016 make for very stark reading.
Action on Smoking and Health released a report on Tuesday saying that 5,900 Irish people will have died from smoking by the time the year draws to a close (compared to 200 people on our roads in the same period of time).
Dr Patrick Doorley, chairman of the organisation said: ““The New Year is a good time for people to consider quitting smoking and I encourage them to do so. Many people quit for good at this time each year.”
“For most people they will make a number of attempts before finally quitting – so I would encourage those who have tried before to try again. People can attempt to quit on their own, or call the National Quitline on: Callsave 1850 201 203.”
Ireland is currently in the midst of rolling out its “plain packaging” legislation, which has already made a positive impact in other countries like Australia.
Roughly 6 million people worldwide will lose their lives this year thanks to smoking, according to the World Health Organisation. 10% of those people will die from passive smoking.
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