Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Margaret O'Brien speaking in the short film YouTube

Video: Teenager tells of grief as new anti-smoking drive is launched

Kilkenny teen Margaret O’Brien has spoken about losing her mother to lung cancer, as part of a moving new HSE campaign.

THE HSE HAS launched  a hard-hitting new anti-smoking campaign, in which a Kilkenny teenager speaks of her grief after losing her mother to lung cancer.

Schoolgirl Margaret O’Brien, who will do her Leaving Cert next year, describes how she knew her mother Jackie’s lifelong smoking was harmful but thought “no-one could be that unlucky” as to die from cancer.

She tells her story in one of three new TV advertisements highlighting the HSE’s “One in Two” campaign. The adverts focus on the fact that one in every two smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease.

In the short film, Margaret describes how she no longer enjoys going to other people’s houses, with “their mams and dads being so close to them. My family isn’t like that anymore.”

The other two films showcase the stories of Pauline Bell from Wexford, whose husband George died at 48 from a heart attack; and Gerry Collins from Wicklow, who describes his experience with cancer.

The three clips will be broadcast on RTÉ and TV3 on New Year’s Day, when the HSE hopes to connect with people considering giving up smoking. Dr Fenton Howell, HSE director of public health, said:

Evidence from all over the world has shown the impact that real-life, personal stories, like Pauline, Gerry and Margaret’s, can have on smokers’ drive to quit. We’re very grateful to all the people who are bringing this campaign to life by telling their stories.

You can watch the three stories in full here:

Margaret O’Brien:

Pauline Bell:

Gerry Collins:

(Videos: HSEIreland)

More: Graphic photographs to be placed on cigarette packets>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
33 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds