New research from Aviva Health Insurance reveals that almost a quarter of those who filled out their online health check are smokers, with a higher proportion of Irish females (24%) than males (22%) smoking.
New research from Aviva Health Insurance reveals that almost a quarter of those who filled out their online health check are smokers, with a higher proportion of Irish females (24%) than males (22%) smoking. The research also revealed that Irish smokers consume an average of 23 cigarettes every day, 10 more than research revealed last year, costing the smoker approximately €293.25 each month and €3,519.00 per year.
Regionally, County Longford has the highest number of smokers in the country, with 30% of respondents reporting to smoke, while County Monaghan reported the lowest number of smokers for the second year in a row with only 16%.
Women in Ireland are smoking double the amount of cigarettes compared to men, an average of 12 more than men – highlighting that the trend of women smoking more than men remains the same. These findings are even more shocking as the figures show that instances of cancer are also rising in Ireland, with the risk of developing lung cancer set to increase by 59% for men and 136% for woman by 2020 according to the National Cancer Registry1.
Some of the most shocking statistics show that smokers lose an average of 10 to 15 years from their life expectancy2 and that even if you are in the same room as a smoker you are exposing yourself to at least 50 agents3 known to cause cancer.
Aviva recently launched the Get Fit Action Plan with celebrity Baz Ashmawy, who kicked his smoking habit as part of the plan. Previously a heavy smoker of up to 25 per day, he is reaping the benefits of quitting.
“It’s a massive achievement for me to be off cigarettes – I’ve smoked since I was 13, but I always thought that I would have quit by the time I was 25 - I’m 35 now so it’s about time! The Aviva Get Fit Action Plan is a great excuse to do it; it has always been my main concern in terms of health. I would recommend that others who are thinking of quitting just keep trying, you can get there. I’m the last person that my friends would have thought would ever give up smoking, and I did it!”
Check out Baz Ashmawy’s video talking about how he stopped smoking on YouTube.
Speaking following the results of the online health check, Dr Stephen Murphy of the Aviva Medical Council said: “If you are a smoker, you should understand the impact that your habit is having on your health. Smoking affects your cardio-vascular system, making your blood clot more easily. This can block an artery in your heart leading to a heart attack or an artery in your brain which can cause a stroke. Smokers are three times more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers.”
“I would urge everyone to complete the online health check available at www.avivahealth.ie and to participate in the challenge to bring about behavioural change that can prolong and improve the quality of their lives,” continued Dr Stephen Murphy.
Aviva Health Insurance is looking out for Ireland’s consumers and offers the following top tips to help consumers quit smoking:
- Drink lots of water to help cleanse your body and limit coffee, sugary drinks and alcohol as they can increase your urge to smoke
- Try to go to bed earlier and get more rest
- Distract yourself – if you feel a craving coming talk to someone, start a new task or take some deep breaths to focus your mind on something else
- Change your habit – try going to work on a different route, eating breakfast in a different place or getting up from the table straight after eating
- Exercise regularly and moderately, even just a 20 minute walk every day can give you a much needed energy boost
- Avoid sugar and fatty foods – there is no good giving up smoking if you are going to let other parts of your health deteriorate
- And finally, whenever you feel yourself slipping remember why you are quitting and rely on your friends, family or even a support group for help – it’s what they are there for.
Health customers with Aviva who want to stop stop smoking can get an exclusive €70 discount off the cost of an Allen Carr Easyway session, to find out more visit www.avivahealth.ie, www.easyway.ie or lo-call number 1890 379929 or 01 4999010.
1 NCRI (National cancer registry) (2006) "Trends in Irish cancer incidence 1994 – 2002, with projections to 2020 (PDF 453KB)" pp38.
2 Department of Health and Children
3 Department of Health and Children
-ends-
For further information:
Pia Ward, Fleishman Hillard on 01 618 8438 or 087 932 7702
Notes to editors:
About Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited
Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited, Ireland’s fastest growing private health insurer, is a division of Aviva Group Ireland plc, Ireland’s leading insurance company with 1.2 million customers across the general insurance, life and pensions and health insurance sectors.
Aviva Group Ireland plc is a subsidiary of Aviva plc. Aviva is one of the world’s largest savings, general insurance and investment groups with the purpose of delivering prosperity and peace of mind to its customers.
About Allen Carr’s Easyway
Since the opening of the Irish Clinics in 1998, Allen Carr’s Easyway has helped over 20,000 people to stop smoking in Ireland. The genius of Allen Carr’s method is that it undoes the brainwashing associated with smoking.
Easyway is instantaneous and easy. The therapy lasts for five hours and the clinics offer a three month money back guarantee so you have nothing to lose and so much to gain, better health, more money in your pocket but most of all freedom from nicotine addiction. The Easyway clinics are held in Dublin and Cork and also offer a corporate service.