No smoking scheme wins award

A SCHEME that uses older pupils at Warrington to tell younger ones about the dangers of smoking has won an award.
The Smoke Free Schools Team won a highly commended award at the launch of the No Smoking Day 2010 campaign.
As part of its work a peer mentor system was piloted using Year 10 health and social care pupils from Cardinal Newman High School, Latchford, to give tobacco awareness information to students in Year Seven.
Local smoking cessation advisor Gill Bent and the team were congratulated for their work with schools and partner organisations.
Sessions were delivered in four workshops which included the use of posters, competitions and games to help raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco.
Topics ranged from discussing the cost of smoking to the ingredients found in cigarettes. Pupils were given the opportunity to explore how smoking affects the body using lots of hands-on resources for the pupils to pass around.
After the sessions the majority said they had learned a lot and enjoyed having the sessions delivered by other pupils. Other schools are being encouraged to adopt similar schemes next year.
Gill said: “As a team we are delighted to win this award and have our services recognised. We feel our role is vital in contributing to developing and maintaining healthier young people and communities – we look forward to holding similar sessions in the future.”
The next official No Smoking Day takes place on March 10. Further information on the service is available on 01925 843713 or by visiting www.warrington-pct.nhs.uk or by email to [email protected]