Lung health initiative is a breath of fresh air for Tallaght youths!
By Mary Dennehy
YOUNG people from Tallaght are putting lung health in the picture by helping to roll out a national movie competition, which highlights the importance of lung health for a full and active life.
The Lovin’ our Lungs initiative has been organised by the Irish Lung Health Alliance, a coalition of 17 charities, in partnership with the Tallaght Foróige Branch and supported by global healthcare company, GSK.
According to the organisers, lung disease accounts for almost half of all chronic illnesses in nine-year-olds and is the most common health condition in young adults aged 18 to 24 years.
Smoking is a leading cause of lung disease and research has shown that almost 80 per cent of smokers start the habit before the age of 18 years, with the Lovin’ our Lungs campaign hoping to bring home to young people, in a relatable way, why minding their lung health is important and how to go about it.
The competition is based on a number of themes, how are lungs work, looking after our lungs, and fun lung facts – with entrants invited to make a 90-second movie celebrating the importance of our lungs and how to look after them based on one or more of these themes.
Breda Prunty, the senior youth officer with Foróige in Tallaght, said: “The Tallaght branch of Foróige is delighted to be working with the Irish Lung Health Alliance in highlighting the importance of looking after lung health among our members, and indeed young people in general.
“Given how common lung disease is among young people, this is an initiative that we are very keen to support.
“We are asking people to get inventive and to get out their camera phones and direct some original, engaging and inspiring movies on lung health and how to best look after our lungs.”
Supported by RTÉ Two Tube’s Blathnaid Treacy and Stephen Byrne and Sing Street actor Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lovin’ our Lungs has some great prizes up for grabs. To enter visit www.lovinourlungs.ie by May 22.
The winning entry will be showcased live on RTÉ’s YouTube on May 27.
