EU's quit-smoking website proves popular

One million visitors have accessed the information gateway of the EU's Help campaign, which is aimed to help people stop smoking, since it went online in June last year.

The site - on which information is presented in 20 different languages including Maltese - gives factual information and provides links to organisations that help people give up smoking or resist the temptation to start.

It also guides visitors to the latest developments, reports, newsletters and innovative projects taking place in other countries.

Local representatives D'Alessandro & Associates Ltd said in a statement that the test section was the most popular section. This allows people to know how high their dependence on tobacco is.

Second in popularity comes the I Want To Quit subsection, which tells smokers why they should quit.

The local representatives said the website's success was due to continuous efforts made to communicate the message through television adverts, press coverage, leaflets and other reach-out activities.

The website - www.help-eu.com - is part of a €72 million, four-year campaign designed to encourage as many people as possible to kick their habit. It targets mainly teenagers and young adults.

Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, set smoking prevention, giving up smoking and informing people about the dangers of passive smoking as the three priorities of the Help campaign.

Why quit?

The EU-wide campaign Help For A Life Without Tobacco points out the advantages of quitting smoking:

¤ When a person quits smoking he will regain taste and smell within a few days.

¤ The former smoker will also regain a more regular and natural breath as well as a steadier rhythm of life.

¤ The anti-smoker will regain serenity and a forgotten taste for life.

¤ Less money will be spent, and the ex-smoker will also be able to save some money.

¤ Although some weight might be gained while the smoker is being weaned off tobacco, this stabilises after an average of three months.

¤ Hair and skin will regain a healthier appearance. Fingers, teeth and breath will no longer be an indication of the habit.

¤ The former smoker will also regain his place in society, with the numerous non-smoking places allowing him to live a healthy and normal life while avoiding permanent tobacco temptation.

"No matter whether you are a regular, occasional, younger or older smoker, it is always time to quit smoking, even if you have to try several times."