People attempting to quit smoking need more targeted supports, particularly those living in low-income areas, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said.

It was responding to the findings of a major new survey carried out by the Department of Health, which revealed that 19% of adults now smoke on a daily basis and among these, most want to quit.

According to the Health Ireland survey, 11% of current smokers are actively trying to quit, 21% are planning to quit and 31% are thinking about quitting.

"Quitting smoking is difficult. The Healthy Ireland report states that 45% of all smokers in Ireland have tried to quit in the past year without success. We need the right supports in the right areas. We want the HSE and the Department of Health to develop their thinking beyond the existing supports," commented Kathleen O'Meara of the ICS.

She pointed to the ‘We Can Quit' pilot project which was launched in Dublin's Blanchardstown last May. The project was developed by the ICS and it provides female smokers with group and one-to-one support from trained community facilitators.

Participants can also access nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) free of charge from their local pharmacy.