Warning of worrying rise in smoking-causing cancer cases in NI

The shock extent shock extent of smoking-causing cancer cases in Northern Ireland was laid bare today.

Leading charity Cancer Research UK is warning that smoking will cause around 9,100 cases over the next five years - if trends continue.

And it revealed that cases of cancer caused by smoking are at an all-time high in Northern Ireland.

The warning came as MPs were preparing to vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which will get its second reading tomorrow in the House of Commons.

Cancer Research UK is urging MPs from all UK nations to vote in favour of the bill.

A spokesperson said: "To become law in Northern Ireland, this landmark legislation must receive the support of MPs at Westminster.

"MLAs will then also need to back the Bill, with a vote required at Stormont.

"The Bill seeks to make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009. This would mean that children turning 15 this year will never legally be able to be sold cigarettes. It also includes powers to introduce a licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes and extend smoke-free spaces."

Debbie King from Cancer Research UK said: "These are shocking statistics.

"These show that if smoking trends continue we will see tobacco causing around 9.100 cancer cases over the next five years.

"Smoking tobacco can cause up to 16 different types of cancer - of which lung cancer is the most common and is also largest preventable cause of cancer in Northern Ireland."

The charity's executive director of policy, Dr Ian Walker, added:

“Tobacco kills up to two thirds of its users. The magnitude of damage caused by smoking cannot be ignored and these statistics expose the lives that are at stake.

“We know that smoking rates decline with government intervention. Raising the age of sale of tobacco products and funding cessation services will help to protect people from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction.

“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill could be one of the most impactful public health interventions in my lifetime. People’s lives are now in the hands of politicians, and I urge all MPs to vote for a future free from the harms of tobacco.”

Co Armagh great-grandfather Gerard Greene who has been living with lung cancer for over two years supports proposals set out in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and is calling for them to be introduced in Northern Ireland.

Gerard (75), a retired bricklayer from Craigavon, had been unwell for several months before he went to see his GP and was eventually diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in March 2021. 

The tumour was inoperable but Gerard received four rounds of chemotherapy, 10 sessions of radiotherapy and is currently being treated with immunotherapy. 

A 20-a-day smoker up until 15 years ago, he is grateful that ongoing treatment has so far kept his tumour from growing and allowed him to lead a good quality of life.

Gerard who has eight children, 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren is keen to do everything he can to support legislation that will protect the health of future generations.

Gerard said: “Raising the age of sale on tobacco could help save lives.

“I grew up in a world where many people smoked and cigarettes were widely available. Less was known when I was a teenager about the damage smoking could do to health. It wasn’t as widely understood then that smoking was in fact the biggest cause of cancer.

“To me it is simple, preventing youngsters today from ever starting smoking will help people live longer, healthier lives. I’d wish a smoke-free future for my family and for all families in Northern Ireland.”