Kate Pickering (53), from west Belfast, has a 23 year old daughter and works in the community sector. She smoked for 41 years, starting at the age of 12. To help her quit she started up a support group for others. She says: “For me, as with many people, smoking was something you and your peers tried...
Civil servant Joanna May, from Co Down, was diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells on her tongue – she shares her story to help highlight mouth cancer awareness month in November, and stresses the need for regular check-ups. She says: “It all started about four years ago when I hurt my shoulder. I...
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland is lending a helping hand to raise awareness of cancer prevention at Michaela Foundation’s Summer Camps for girls. The charities will work together at 19 camps across Northern Ireland, each attended by 80 girls (aged 11-13). The Summer Camp partnership was officially la...
From Saturday 20 May 2017, all tobacco sold in Northern Ireland must be in new-style ‘plain’ packaging. Cigarettes and tobacco will no longer be sold in bright, glitzy packs but will be in drab green packages with larger picture warnings about the dangers of smoking. This follows a year’s grace peri...
Northern Ireland celebrated the 10th anniversary of the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces on April 30, 2017. Leading local charity Cancer Focus Northern Ireland said that the smoking ban was one of the most important steps towards a healthier population in the last decade. The...
