HUNDREDS of calls have been made to the Irish Cancer Society's helpline by people wanting, to quit smoking. Yesterday, on Ash Wednesday, more than 100 were received by the Stop Smoking Quitline.
The line opened on Monday and continues until tomorrow.
"We've been inundated," said Ms Norma Cronin of the Irish Cancer Society. "People are ringing and asking the best way to quit. They are calling from all around the country looking for support."
The harmful effects of passive smoking on children is the focus of a campaign launched by the newly formed Smoking Target Action Group (STAG) which includes the Office for Health Gain, the health promotion unit of the Department of Health, the Irish Heart Foundation, the Irish Cancer Society and ASH Ireland.
A number of health boards are offering a stop smoking programme free of charge.
Meanwhile, a Fianna Fail candidate for Dublin South East, Mr Noel Whelan, said the Government was taking a soft line on the tobacco industry.
"It is estimated that 6,000 people died unnecessarily last year from tobacco use," he said. "I believe this level of mortality will persist while we allow the tobacco industry to advertise an addictive and dangerous product to young people. Nothing less than a total advertising ban, with no loopholes, will suffice."
He said the Government was correct to warn people of the dangers posed to children by passive smoking.
"However, this initiative is undermined by the fact that tobacco companies are still allowed to target these children as the smokers of tomorrow."
The telephone number for the Irish Cancer Society's Quitline is 1800 200 700.