The HSE has paid tribute to the anti- smoking campaign Gerry Collins who died yesterday.

The 57 year old from Greystones in Co Wicklow spoke frankly in a hard hitting anti smoking ad about being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

Two new adverts featuring Gerry and his family were due to be aired this week where he shares more of his story and his thoughts about smoking and his terminal illness.

The ads were made with the agreement of Gerry and his family that they would continue to be used after his death.

The Collins family has decided they should be aired as planned this week, in accordance with his wishes.

Director General of the Health Services, Mr. Tony O’Brien, said  “Gerry and his family have made a unique contribution to the health and wellbeing of our society by working with us on the QUIT campaign. I would like to express my sincere sympathy to his family and friends on Gerry’s passing and also to express thanks for the enormous contribution they have made to reducing tobacco use in Ireland.

The HSE says the response to Gerry’s bravery in sharing his story, has been simply extraordinary.   The agency estimates over 60,000 people in Ireland have made a quit attempt this year, thanks to Gerry.

The family has appealed for privacy and issued this bried statement though the HSE

‘Gerry was a great father, grandfather, husband, son, brother and friend, and we are lost without him.  We are all incredibly proud of all he did to help others, and the inspiring work he did on the QUIT campaign.  He was touched and delighted by the responses he received, online, by post and in person, from smokers and non-smokers alike, and loved hearing the many stories of people who had quit after seeing his ads or hearing his interviews. He wanted to make a difference, and we know that he did. As we say goodbye to Gerry, we would ask that our privacy be respected to allow us time to adjust and grieve for him.’