Older smokers urged to stub out the habit

OLDER smokers are being targeted as part of a campaign by a Capital-based charity.

Ash – an anti-smoking lobby group – has launched its Never Too Old To Quit initiative, issuing a number of facts to encourage people along the way.

The organisation pointed out that within the first hour of giving up tobacco poisons begin to leave the body, after a few weeks tastes and smell revert to their normal selves and former smokers have more energy, and risks of a heart attack are halved after a year or two.

After between five and 15 years of non-smoking, the body has returned to its normal self.

Chief executive Sheila Duffy said: "Tobacco is an addictive substance and stopping smoking is not easy but, with the support of local stop-smoking services, I hope more people will kick the habit."

She added that graphic picture warnings on cigarette packets, due to come on the shelves this week, should also flag up blunt warnings to smokers.