The Irish Heart Foundation has called on the health service to focus on helping stroke survivors quit smoking for good.

It points out that research shows that 58% of Irish stroke survivors who were smokers at the time of stroke continued to smoke six months after their stroke.

"With 25% of strokes caused by smoking, helping stroke survivors to quit should be a major priority for the health service," the IHF said.

According to research, more than two out of three Irish stroke survivors knew that smoking was a major risk factor for stroke.

The Foundation says the high post-stroke smoking rates here 'prove just how strong a hold tobacco has on those who are addicted'.

It urged the Government to commit more resources to help this high risk stroke group to quit.

Dr Angie Brown, Irish Heart Foundation Medical Director said: "Smoking rates in Ireland have fallen to an all time low of 22% but more needs to be done to help those quit smoking who have suffered serious cardiovascular events, such as stroke."

"Continuing to smoke after stroke is extremely dangerous and patients not only risk undoing the hard work of their recovery but they are risking their lives."

Tomorrow (May 31) is World No Tobacco Day.