Smoking is responsible for 80,000 deaths a year in the UK. Smoking rates in young people is low, around 8 per cent, but in Oxfordshire it is just over 10 per cent, for 15 year olds. Two thirds of smokers started before they were 18 years old (2016).
Guidance outlines some responsibilities for schools and this includes
- Having a well publicised Smoke Free school policy
- Using PHSE to cover the topic of preventing children from smoking. Including smoking in the mainstream curriculm, such as biology.
- Specific events or speakers/talks about smoking and the impacts on health.
- Directing pupils and adults to local stop smoking services, where free support is available to help people stop smoking.
Smoke free schools
When writing or refreshing your schools smokefree school policy or your School Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) the following may be useful.
Statistics on smoking
- Figures on smoking in Oxfordshire – Latest figures on smoking.
- Data on youth smoking – Latest figures on smoking patterns in young people
- What About YOUth? collects robust local data on a range of health behaviours amongst 15 year-olds.
Resources
- Free to hire educational aids – there are a variety of educational aids, from “Jar of Tar” to Carbon Monoxide monitors.
- School Health Nurses – are aware of and some can provide support to help pupils to stop smoking as well as refer parents and teachers to local stop smoking services.
- Guest Speakers – Ask our stop smoking service SmokefreeLife Oxfordshire about whether they are able to come to your school to do an assembly or help support a health carousel.
- Drago the Dragon– Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue may also be able attend your school to talk about smoking, e-mail them and ask.
National campaigns
There are several times during the year when stopping smoking is encouraged:
- March – No Smoking Day
- May - World No Tobacco Day
- October – Stoptober
E-Cigarettes – for latest advice on the safety of e-cigarettes (excluding product safety)
Smoking survey – contact Public Health to ask about carrying out a smoking rate survey in your school.
Other ideas
- Smokefree Gates – includes a tool kit
- Smokfree Playgrounds – work with your local Leisure and Parks team to make local playgrouds smokefree.