More people die in Ireland today from heart and stroke related illnesses than from any other cause of death. 

That's despte the fact that 80% of cardiovascualr disease is preventable. 

The Irish Heart Foundation has launched a new On The Dry initiative aimed at encouraging people to give up alcohol for the month of January. 

Barry Dempsey is CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation. 

He says the idea is to help people have a healthier start to the New Year while also raising funds for the charity.