Smokers planning to make 1998 the year they finally break the habit will be encouraged to learn that the new year is considered an ideal time to do it.
"Lots of people begin the year by quitting smoking, and there's an enormous amount of support, advice and information on offer for those who want to stop," according to Ms Norma Cronin of the Irish Cancer Society.
"Each year smoking kills between 6,000 and 7,000 Irish people. Quitting smoking is the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives," she says.
"Motivation and making the decision to stop are fundamental to quitting. Smokers will go through many stages before they finally stop, and it's a case of keep trying and eventually you will succeed."
From next week the Irish Cancer Society is holding courses on giving up smoking, which will cover the various ways of quitting and how to deal with withdrawal symptoms. It starts next Tuesday in the ICS, 5 Northumberland Road, Dublin, and continues for six weeks. More information from (01) 668-1855.
Smoking cessation expert Dr Chris Steele says more than half of those who try to give up do not succeed. He says smokers can more than double their chances of quitting by joining support groups and using nicotine gum. His advice is available on tape from the Nicorette Stop Smoking Helpline, a commercially motivated service available on 1550111-500. Proceeds go to the ICS.
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