The number of Irish smokers classed as ‘heavy smokers’ has increased 10 per cent over the last two years, with 62 per cent of smokers now smoking over 15 cigarettes per day.
However, according to a survey launched by Nicorette today, restrictions on smoking are proving to have an impact, with 37 per cent of smokers saying they are prevented from smoking at least once a day. This is an increase from 25 per cent in 1997.
Respondents to the survey also said that although health remained the largest motivator for quitting smoking, an increase in price was a bigger encouragement to stop than stop-smoking campaigns.
But the survey showed that the number of smokers attempting to quit the habit in order to save money was higher last year - 58 per cent - as opposed to this year’s figure of 44 per cent.
"This is because 50p was added to the price of cigarettes in 2000 but nothing was added in 2001 which was a disgrace," said Prof Luke Clancy, Consultant Respiratory Physician, St James's Hospital Dublin.
"All the evidence shows that if you increase the price of cigarettes, smokers will smoke less, more smokers will try to quit and fewer teenagers will start to smoke," he said.
Meanwhile Dr Mark Rowe, a GP from Waterford with a special interest in smoking cessation, said it was "discouraging" to see that only 18 per cent of heavy smokers were aware that nicotine replacement therapy was available on the medical card.
The measure was introduced by the Government earlier this year. Dr Rowe said it was both "timely" and "essential" in helping GPs help their patients to stop smoking.