Assist Parents and Schools

Local news & Updates

July 26, 2018 . by Matthew Hern

Assist Parents and Schools

More than 80% of adults who smoke started before the age of 20*

Young people start facing pressures to smoke from about the age of 12. However, parents are a major influence on the smoking behaviours of their children. About 80% of young people who are regular smokers have family members who smoke.

Fortunately, parents can take a number of effective steps to prevent their children from starting to smoke. Here are our top tips:-

Inform your children about the dangers of smoking– knowledge of the health harms and impact on their appearance caused by smoking will discourage them to take up the habit
Let them know that you do not want them to smoke – parental attitudes and opinions of smoking influences whether their children will smoke
Maintain a smoke-free home: Children are less likely to smoke in a smoke-free home. By allowing your child to smoke at home, it reinforces smoking behaviour

If you are a smoker, share your struggles to quit with your children – informing your children on how hard it is to quit will let them know how difficult it is to quit once they start smoking.
If you are a smoker, think about quitting – This is the best thing you can do for yourself and for your family. You are four times more likely to quit successfully with professional help than trying on your own. Here’s how you can quit or you can call our helpline on 0300 100 1823 (local call rate)

*Source: Health Survey for England 2013, Smoking Attitudes and Behaviours

Information for schools

Schools play an important part in educating young people on the harms of smoking. Most schools undertake programmes for smoking prevention whether through the ASSIST programme or school-led policies and educational classes.

In Nottinghamshire we can offer support to schools by providing advice and information e.g on e-cigarettes and support to develop smoke free policies. For students who smoke it is important that they are supported to quit smoking and not reprimanded about it.

For further information on how we can support you deliver tobacco education in school, please contact Rebecca Rob (Rebecca.robb@solutions4health.co.uk).

For resources you can use during lessons, please visit http://www.lionslifeskills.co.uk/

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