Anti-smoking street performance

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A DRAMATIC street performance in the centre of Warrington highlighted the devastating impact smoking and tobacco industry tactics have on people who smoke and their families.
Five performances – featuring 12 dancers and a street poet who delivered a powerful anti-tobacco rap titled “Last Man Standing” – finished with a sinister twist.
Half the performers “died” during the piece, falling to the ground. The finale highlighted the stark fact that half of all long-term smokers will die from their addiction. Hundreds of people witnessed the performance.
Passer-by and current smoker Gawain Williams (pictured, right) 18 of Bewsey, said “I started smoking at 14 and I can’t quit. My dad smoked and I thought it was cool.
“I find it really expensive, it costs me around £10-15 a week. All my money goes on cigarettes. If I could go back to 14 I wouldn’t have started then. I think this event will help young people who haven’t started yet. They smoke because they think it’s cool so this would definitely help them think again.”
Each performance, was filmed, and will be promoted to young people online as part of a 60 second viral campaign, and will help increase understanding of the tactics the tobacco industry use to recruit new young smokers.
Warrington Borough Council’s lead member for health and wellbeing, Cllr Pat Wright, said: “We are committed to reducing smoking and dependence on tobacco. Just like everywhere, one in two of Warrington’s long-term smokers will die from smoking.
“It’s great to engage young people using a visual performance like this. This is a medium they can relate to, understand and discuss with their friends. Hopefully they will get the messages that tobacco is dangerous, and it will make them think twice before potentially entering a lifetime of expensive addiction to cigarettes, which has devastating consequences for their health.”
For help to stop smoking call 0300 003 0818 or visit http://www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/stopsmoking


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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