Issue 182 - Belfast BT6 • BT7 • BT8
Reduction in smoking rates but more is needed
The latest NI Health Survey, published before Christmas from the Department of Health, shows that just over 1 in 8 people in Belfast and right across Northern Ireland still smoke. The results show that 13% of NI adults over 16 smoke, compared to 14% this time last year.
Education Minister Paul Givan pictured officially opening the new Deanby Centre Special School in Belfast. Pictured with the Minister are L to R: Katherine Calvert, Interim Head of the school; Richard Pengelly, Chief Executive Education Authority; Shauna Collinson, Interim Chair of Board of Governors; Mark George, Interim Deputy Head of the school and some pupils.
Education Minister opens new special school in Belfast
Education Minister Paul Givan has officially opened the new Deanby Centre Special School in Belfast. The school was established in September 2024 on the site of the former Our Lady’s Primary School in North Belfast. During July and August 2024, a total of nine classrooms were refurbished at a cost of nearly £1million to accommodate 72 pupils
with severe learning difficulties ranging in age from nursery to Key Stage 2. Speaking at the official opening of the new facilities, Education Minister Paul Givan said: “It was great to be able to be here today to see what has been achieved in a
relatively short period of time. It could have only been accomplished as a result of the clear vision, leadership and dynamic thinking of all involved. “The challenges in providing sufficient and appropriate special education provision
are well recognised. To be able to re-purpose a recently vacated school premises and so swifty into a special school has essentially provided a road map for the future.”
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Naomi Thompson, Health Improvement Manager at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, comments: “While it is great that smoking trends continue to decrease, 1 in 8 adults smoking is still too many. Tobacco is linked with a quarter of NI cancer deaths and 17 different types of cancer. To help people be healthier and richer, we need to move to a smokefree society.” The percentage decrease in smoking is offset by an equivalent increase in vaping. These results show that 10% of all adults use e-cigarettes (vapes), up from 9% last year and 5% in 2020/21. Vape use is especially high in the young adult age group (19%). Naomi continues: “While
vaping can be a useful stop-smoking tool, our recommendation would be: if you don’t smoke, don’t vape. We just don’t yet know the long-term health consequences of vaping, but early evidence suggests they are not risk-free.” In recognition of the harms of tobacco, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has offered stop smoking services for over 50 years and in 2023 launched a vision for a Smokefree Northern Ireland by 2035.” To learn more about cancer prevention and to get help to stop smoking, visit https://cancerfocusni. org/ or call the charity’s Nurseline (0800 783 3339, M/W/F 9am – 1pm).