Smoking accounts for up to half of the difference in life expectancy between the richest and poorest groups in Ireland. It is the single biggest cause of preventable death in this country. Almost one million adults (26%) continue to use tobacco, and at least 5,200 people die prematurely each year as a result of smoking. It is the principal cause of lung cancer, and in populations with prolonged cigarette use, nine out of ten lung cancer cases are due to cigarette smoking3.

The Irish Cancer Society is determined to work closely with these communities to turn this situation around. This will mean developing different and more focussed ways of working with and communicating new messages and innovative services. It will also mean ensuring that the issue of health inequalities and cancer is addressed by Government and state agencies, as the urgent public health issue which it is.