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Make It Lucky 13
By Eilish Martin, 3/22/2002 10:59:17 AM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation believes it could be lucky 13 for many people in March.
The Ulster Cancer Foundation believes it could be lucky 13 for many people in March.
No Smoking Day (NSD) is on the 13th of the month and the charity says there has never been a better opportunity for stopping on the day and remaining a non-smoker.
Gerry McElwee, UCF head of cancer prevention, says: ?Many smokers find it very difficult to give up through willpower alone, but they can take heart from the fact that the widest ever choice of aids is now available.
?There are lozenges, patches, gum and inhalers ? and all have been shown to be effective in beating the weed.
?We can also give people a helping hand through our various services, including a helpline (028 9066 3281), a stop smoking group, nurse counselling and support leaflets.?
There is also information on the NSD website ? www.nosmokingday.org.uk
Mr McElwee chairs the NSD co-ordinating committee in the province. The theme of this year?s campaign, which is supported by GlaxoSmithKline?s NiQuitin CQ, is Make it a Day to Remember.
Statistics show that while the number of men smoking has fallen from 31% to 26% in the last five years, the number of women smokers has increased, from 27% to 28%.
Mr McElwee said the problem was particularly worrying among women on low income, with as many as 50% smoking regularly.
?There has also been a big increase in smoking among 15 and 16-year-old girls, with 34% of them smoking regularly compared with 18% of boys in the same age group,? he added.
Every year in Northern Ireland, smoking causes 2,800 deaths from cancer and other illnesses.
For further information please contact the UCF?s Gerry McElwee or Judith West on 028 9066 3281
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