Smoking kills. 1 in 2 smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease. Every week, around 100 people die and around 1,000 people are hospitalised in Ireland from smoking-related illness.
Smoking and health
Smoking:
- takes 10 to 15 quality years off your life
- causes cancer, heart attacks, stroke, lung disease, blindness, diabetes and many other diseases
- reduces fertility for both women and men and makes it harder to start a family
- can lead to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and stillbirth if you smoke during pregnancy
- causes dental health problems such as bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay
- has a negative effect on mental health
83% of smokers regret starting smoking. They would not smoke if they had the choice again.
But when you quit smoking, the health benefits start right away. You can quit and we can help.
Quit smoking with our help
Tobacco industry
The tobacco industry continues to make products that harm people and the environment.
The tobacco industry:
- owns most vape brands
- targets vape products at young people with colours and flavours
- uses social media to promote products that they know harm people
- uses land, water and other resources in places where they are needed to grow food
- damages the environment at every point of the product lifecycle - from growing tobacco to making and transporting products
- causes plastic pollution - cigarette butts are the top cause of litter in Ireland and kill marine life