Assistance needed to help smokers stub it out before the ban

3.43.00pm GMT Thu 21st Dec 2006

Alliance Health Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has stated that assistance for people wanting to quit smoking in advance of next year's ban is essential. He welcomed today's announcement that the government is launching an advertising campaign to promote services aimed at helping smokers quit.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: "As a former smoker myself, I know that people need all the help they can get to ensure that they can kick the habit.

"It is essential that government provides assistance for people who want to stub it out for good.

"Quitting smoking will be a New Year's resolution for many local people and I am glad that they will be made aware, through this ad campaign, of the assistance which is available to them.

"People always have good intentions at the start of every new year and hopefully this assistance will help them realise their resolutions.

"The government must make every possible effort in this area in advance of the smoking ban next April."

ENDS