Smokers have been urged to give up the habit after it was revealed 900 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in the North every year.
Derry Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin has urged people to make an effort to stop smoking in order to lessen the risk.
Figures show lung cancer accounts for the second highest number of cancers in the North with over 90% of these cases related to smoking.
Ms McLaughlin, chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, was speaking at hte start of Lunch Cancer Awareness month.
She said: “Lung cancer awareness month should be used as an incentive to stop smoking as even smoking one or two cigarettes a day increases your chances of contacting lung cancer by at least three, so cutting down is not an option.”
“While I understand the difficulties faced in giving up there are now many aids available to help you quit, many of them free from your local doctor or pharmacy so I would urge people to make the effort and stop smoking now.”
