Children's television presenter and former Miss Northern Ireland, Zoe Salmon is urging young women to stop smoking this No Smoking Day (Wednesday 12th March).
The Action Cancer Patron is supporting the smoking cessation campaign by Action Cancer and Gordons Chemists which aims to highlight skin damage from smoking.
Zoe generously allowed her image to be manipulated to show how she might have looked now had she been smoking since the age of 15.
The campaign appeals to the vanity of young females in Northern Ireland among whom smoking is on the increase.
Earlier this year the Health Promotion Agency indicated that more than twice as many females than males now smoke in the 16-19 year old age group.
It is hoped that the shocking image of the former Miss Northern Ireland will provide an incentive for young girls to quit.
More than a million people across the UK are estimated to attempt to quit this Wednesday.
Emily Magrath, Health Promotion Manager for Action Cancer said: "Around 80% of cancers can be prevented through lifestyle choices and smoking is a big factor in this. Action Cancer feel very strongly that young people need to be encouraged and supported to stop the habit now in a bid to reduce future incidences of cancer in the future and save lives.
With such a young audience though we are aware that the threat of wrinkles may be a more powerful motivator than the serious health risks associated with smoking and we would like to sincerely thank Zoe for getting involved and supporting the campaign."
Zoe's face (shown) clearly indicates the distinctive characteristics of smoker's face - a term included in the medical dictionary.
The young presenter looks older than her years with wrinkles on the face, gaunt facial features and dull and lifeless skin. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 toxins which are absorbed directly by the bloodstream and are taken by the blood into the structure of the skin.
The toxins cause a reduction in the availability of oxygen which allows the skin to regenerate itself.
It also reduces the levels of collagen in the skin.
Smoking a single cigarette can result in blood vessels in the skin constricting for up to 90 minutes.
Zoe says: "Although the image isn't flattering I am happy to help Action Cancer and Gordons Chemists with the campaign.
Smoking unfortunately seems to be popular among young girls and I think they are more likely to take the visual evidence of skin damage onboard.
I myself was quite shocked at the change in my face and I would encourage anyone thinking of stopping to please use the support available and reduce your risk of smokers face and importantly, of lung cancer, in the future."
The Action Cancer and Gordons Chemists "2008 Never Too Late" campaign has been ongoing since the start of the year when 1500 support packs were provided to hopeful quitters.
The packs contained a jointly branded stress ball, diary, dental floss, Vichy face cream, Action Cancer's 28 day 'Cut the Habit' guide and Gordons Chemists leaflet to help people stop smoking.
Helena Buchanan, Head of Health Promotion for Gordons Chemists feels there is still more work to be done: "Our recent research reveals that many smokers do want to kick the habit but struggle to do so.
We hope to use today to encourage smokers that they are not alone and help and support is available from their local chemist via clinics and information.
We acknowledge that smoking is hard but you don't have to go it alone and we hope that thanks to Zoe, many people and particularly young females will realise the long-term damage they are doing to their bodies both inside and out and how this is preventable if they stop now. This photographic is a stark but realistic impression of the dangers of smoking."
She continued: "We host smoking cessation clinics across Northern Ireland and together with Action Cancer we also offer cessation courses in the workplaces.
This is an excellent way for people to get the support and encouragement they need."
Gordons Chemists provide smoking cessation clinics for individuals at each of their stores across Northern Ireland while Action Cancer has dedicated health promotion officers providing smoking cessation courses for workplaces and groups.
Download Action Cancer's 'Cut the Habit' leaflet here.
Zoe Salmon has been working as Patron for Action Cancer to help the Health Promotion Team prevent future incidences of cancer in Northern Ireland.
The leading local cancer charity carry out work with schools, workplaces and community groups to help save lives through cancer awareness and prevention.
These are the benefits of quitting over time Time.
20 minutes
Heart rate and blood pressure drops
12 hours
Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
2 - 3 weeks
Circulation improves and lung function increases
1 - 9 months
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease, cilia in lungs clean the lungs and reduce the risk of infection
One year
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's
5 years
Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 – 15 years after quitting
10 years
Lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. Risk of cancer of mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, cervix and pancreas decrease
15 years
Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker's