SMOKERS wanting to kick the habit were today encouraged to do so with the launch of a new television advertising campaign.

The new campaign from the Health Promotion Agency features a countdown of the number of days until No Smoking Day on March 10. Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: "At present 29% of the population here smoke. "The good news is that the latest statistics reveal that smoking has decreased but we need to reduce this even further because smoking is still the major cause of preventable deaths in Northern Ireland. "Every year many smokers set No Smoking Day as the date to give up. Research has shown that smokers who have time to prepare themselves mentally stop for good." This year the theme of the day is "For smokers who want out" and there is a lot of support out there for those who are committed to quitting. The television advertising highlights the helpline number 0800 858585, which people can contact for advice and encouragement in their attempt to break their habit. Dr Gaffney said: "It's never too late to make a quit attempt, in fact stopping smoking before 35 years of age can reduce a smoker's health risks to the same as those of a life-long non-smoker."

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