Cancer Focus backs World No Tobacco Day

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention at Cancer Focus NI, said: “Thousands of young people in Northern Ireland take up smoking each year – and we need to see that stop.

“We’re using World No Tobacco Day to highlight how our young people are being recruited to a lethal product that kills half its users.

“Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death and kills one in ten adults worldwide. Half of all smokers are killed by the addiction, with smoking accounting for the death of 2,300 Northern Ireland people annually and causing almost one third of all cancers.”

Sammy Gowdy (56), from east Belfast, who developed throat cancer after smoking for 46 years, urged young people not to start smoking. After years of failed attempts, he was only able to finally stop after he was diagnosed with cancer.

His habit has put other members of his family off smoking and his son, Darren, is now one of Cancer Focus NI’s specialists for the charity’s Stop Smoking Support Service, which is located in schools, youth settings, workplaces, community venues and GP surgeries.

“I started smoking in school when I was 10 years old to be one of the ‘big lads’. The first couple of times made me sick, but I kept trying and soon became hooked,” Sammy said.

“Once you’re addicted, it’s the worst thing in the world. In my teens I played football and found I was always short of breath. Even then I could see that the non-smokers were running faster than me.

“I smoked every half hour and all my life I’ve had terrible chest and breathing problems, which I blame on smoking. I always had the notion that I’d be fine, that if anything did happen to me I’d be in my 70s or 80s anyway.

“Last year I began to take pains in my throat. My doctor noticed a lump and sent me for a biopsy. I knew right away what it was, and my doctor was certain of it too. I was diagnosed with throat cancer in December 2013.

“I’d tried to stop a few times in my life, but there was always a devil’s voice in my head telling me ‘Go on, it’ll do no harm’ or ‘Buy 10 and  spread them over the week’, but I always smoked them in the space of an hour. Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked, simple as that.

“My sister Margaret and I both attended Cancer Focus NI’s Stop Smoking Support clinics which enabled Margaret to quit. Unfortunately I had no intention of stopping at that stage - you have to really want to. The clinics did help, though – when I attended the sessions I didn’t have one cigarette – it made me realise that I could do it if I was really determined.

“Luckily, Darren never smoked. He recognised the consequences from an early age when his grandmother died from lung cancer because of smoking. He tried relentlessly to help me stop, but I think he knew himself the only person that can make you quit is yourself.

“People say it’s a habit - it’s much more than that - it’s an addiction. It’s a battle, and it’s one that’s hard to beat. When I was diagnosed with cancer, it was a real wake-up call.”

Visibly upset, Sammy continued: “I guess the real turning point was seeing the reaction of my family when I was diagnosed and seeing people with similar illnesses bedridden in hospital. I was still lucky enough to be able to get up, walk about and fight this disease.

“I cut out smoking all together when I started my treatment. I took on two difficult battles at the one time – facing cancer and giving up smoking. But I did it.

“I’ve worked 40 years of my life and the money I’ve spent on cigarettes is unbelievable. If I’d never smoked I’d probably be living in a £300,000 house, driving a sports car and feeling on top of the world in great health.

“I just wish that children and young people realised the implications of smoking. In my day there was no health education in school about smoking. It’s a relief to know that Cancer Focus NI is out there tackling this problem and educating children with its cancer prevention programmes such as Smokebusters and encouraging young people to quit.

“It’s sad to think one choice I made 46 years ago has impacted on my life so much. I just wish I’d made changes sooner.”

Darren added: “If my dad can stop, anyone can!”

For more information on the Cancer Focus NI Stop Smoking Service call Bernie Neeson on 028 9066 3281, email behealthy@cancerfocusni.org or contact the free NI Smokers’ Helpline on 0808 812 8008.

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