Newport Secondary School Gates Become No Smoking Zones

Smokers are being asked to keep their habit away from the gates of secondary schools in Newport as the council launches a new plan to make their schools healthier.

Caerleon Comprehensive will be the first to officially declare its school gates a no smoking zone today (Thursday 24th November) as part of Newport’s wider healthy schools initiative.

Tobacco control charity, ASH Wales Cymru, has been lobbying schools across Wales to ban smoking at their gates and has produced guidelines and signage to support schools wanting to take part.

Every secondary school in the county will be asked to follow suit and implement the voluntary ban over the coming weeks. Primary schools in the area have already committed to smokefree gates with signage going up across the city.

Smokefree areas protect others from second-hand smoke and ‘denormalising’ the deadly habit.  Almost half of long-term smokers begin smoking before leaving high school and among children who try smoking around a third become regular smokers within 3 years.

Research shows young people are highly influenced by others smoking around them – those with a parent who smokes are 70% more likely to take up the habit. Banning smoking also helps to improve litter levels and the local environment.

Newport Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, Councillor Gail Giles, said: “I am pleased that schools in our local authority area have the chance to sign up to this initiative which highlights the harm smoking does to a person’s health. And it is great that Caerleon Comprehensive is the first secondary school in South Wales to do so. Anything we can do to encourage people not to smoke around their children, and particularly at the school gates is a good thing. We hope all schools across Newport will take up this voluntary code.”

Catherine Handley, assistant head teacher at Caerleon Comprehensive said: “We are delighted to take part in this initiative lead by ASH Wales. It is an important step forward in our work to promote Healthy Schools and raise awareness with young people of the health risks associated with smoking.”

Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive of ASH Wales Cymru said, “Smoking in areas which are created specifically for our young people sends them the completely incorrect message that tobacco is a harmless part of everyday life rather than a deadly and addictive drug. It is essential we set positive examples wherever we can – we do not want our country’s next generation to be the tobacco industry’s next customers.”

Suzanne continued, “We believe children and young people have a right to get an education, play and meet their friends in a clean, smokefree environment. Banning smoking at playgrounds and now school gates is a huge step in the right direction.”

Health Minister Celebrates Success of Quit Smoking Youth Service

Wales’ Social Services and Public Health Minister Rebecca Evans today joined teenagers at a skills centre in Cardiff to mark the success of ASH Wales’s unique quit-smoking service for young people.

Commit to Quit, an 8-week stop smoking course, has helped hundreds of young ‘hard-to-reach’ people to quit the habit. The Minister visited the latest eager recruits at Itec Training and Skills centre in Cardiff who are all trying to give up smoking.

This year over 300 young smokers from more than 30 sites across Wales have opted to take part in the Welsh Government-funded programme. The project has been a huge success with more than 50% of the young smokers who have completed the course managing to quit their deadly habit.

Smoking rates among Welsh teenagers are at an all-time low with 8% of boys and 9% of girls aged 15 and 16 saying they smoke regularly, but smoking rates in the more deprived areas of Wales remain stubbornly static.  Smoking is the biggest driver of health inequalities in Wales, especially as young smokers become addicted adults.

Smoking rates in the most deprived areas of Wales are significantly greater than in the more affluent – 29% of those classed as ‘most deprived’ smoke, compared to just 11% of those classed as ‘least deprived’. For example, smoking rates in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are as low as 16%, whereas in Blaenau Gwent 26% of residents are smokers.

The Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, said: “We have made excellent progress on tackling smoking here in Wales. Smoking rates are at their lowest ever levels – and crucially – fewer young people are taking up the habit.

“I am delighted the Welsh Government has been able to support Commit to Quit. The project is helping hundreds of young people quit smoking, which will have a positive effect on their future health and set them in good stead for the rest of their lives.”

Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive ASH Wales, said: “Commit to Quit is a successful and engaging project with the stats speaking for themselves.”

“Smoking is an addiction of childhood – two thirds of smokers took up the habit before the age of 18, and almost 40% already smoke regularly before the age of 16. If we can get young people to quit smoking before they reach adulthood then we are saving them from a lifetime of disease, illness and the high chance of premature death caused be a smoking-related disease.”

“This is a project the Welsh Government and the Health Minister can be immensely proud of. Because of the government’s commitment and funding we have been able offer young people the chance to make lifesaving lifestyle changes. These young smokers want and need our help and we are delighted we have been able to demonstrate what these young people are capable of.”

Funding for the programme runs for another year in which time ASH Wales is aiming to help and support hundreds more young smokers to quit. The Commit to Quit project is a free service and available to youth settings with groups of teenagers who want to quit smoking.

“Ugly” Cigarette Packs Arrive in Welsh Shops

Cigarette packs designed with the world’s ugliest colour and graphic pictures have started to appear on the shelves of shops in Wales six months after the new regulations were passed.

In May of this year it became law for all tobacco products – including roll-your-own tobacco pouches and cigarette boxes – to be sold in a ‘standardised’, brown packaging. As shops sell through their previously colourful stock the drab designs are starting to be sold to customers.

Plain packs are covered in ‘world’s ugliest colour’ known as opaque couché and 65% of every product must be covered in pictorial and text health warnings. In addition to this, no branding is allowed other than the product name in a standardised font and no other trademarks, logos, colour schemes or graphics are permitted.

The aim of plain packaging is to make smoking less appealing to children and young people. Packaging was one of the last ways the tobacco industry had of advertising their addictive, cancer-causing products to young people.

Research from Australia, who implemented the same plain packaging in 2012, has shown since the change of design consumers perceived their cigarettes to taste worse, be of lower quality and were more likely to ask for help to quit smoking altogether.

Tobacco companies fought strongly against law, claiming it would make counterfeiting their products easier. A HMRC investigation concluded there was no evidence to suggest standardised packaging would have an impact on the overall size of the illegal tobacco market. Claims that illegal tobacco trade has increased in Australia were unfounded, data from the Australian Government showed post-implementation.

Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive of ASH Wales Cymru said, “Smoking in areas which are created specifically for children sends them the completely incorrect message that tobacco is a harmless part of everyday life rather than a deadly and addictive drug. It is essential we set positive examples wherever we can – we do not want our country’s next generation to be the tobacco industry’s next customers.”

Suzanne continued, “We believe that children and young people have a right to get an education, play and meet their friends in a clean, smokefree environment. Banning smoking at playgrounds and now school gates is a huge step in the right direction.”

Swansea’s School Gates Become No Smoking Zones

Swansea Council today (Thursday 3rd November) launched a ban on smoking at its school gates, covering every primary school in the area.

Sea View Community Primary was the first to officially declare its school gates a no smoking zone as part of a drive to make Swansea a healthier city for all.  Every primary school across the county will follow suit and implement the voluntary ban throughout November.

Research shows young people are highly influenced by others smoking around them – those with a parent who smokes are 70% more likely to take up the habit and two thirds of adult smokers took up the habit before they left their teenage years.

To coincide with Swansea’s smokefree school gates launch, tobacco control campaign group ASH Wales Cymru has created a supportive toolkit and competition to enable other local authorities and schools across Wales to get involved with the health initiative.

The toolkit provides a guide for schools on how to make their gates no smoking zones. Smokefree areas protect children’s young, developing lungs from the harms of second-hand smoke whilst denormalising this deadly habit. They also help to improve litter levels and the local environment.

The competition, which is open to all primary schools in Wales, is asking pupils to create a poem or poster about why they want their school gates to be a no smoking area. The winning entries will be published in a mini-book.

Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive of ASH Wales Cymru said, “Smoking in areas which are created specifically for children sends them the completely incorrect message that tobacco is a harmless part of everyday life rather than a deadly and addictive drug. It is essential we set positive examples wherever we can – we do not want our country’s next generation to be the tobacco industry’s next customers.”

Suzanne continued, “We believe that children and young people have a right to get an education, play and meet their friends in a clean, smokefree environment. Banning smoking at playgrounds and now school gates is a huge step in the right direction.”

My Journey with ASH Wales and The Filter: Volunteering to Make a Difference

Hi, I’m Chelsea Vater, and I volunteer with ASH Wales’s youth project, The Filter.

I first got involved with ASH Wales through my college. They visited us for a session, and I was really inspired by the activities they ran. I enjoyed it so much that I asked if I could do my college placement with them – and luckily, they said yes!

Now, I split my time between working in the office and going out to youth clubs and colleges for sessions. What I love most about ASH Wales is how friendly and welcoming everyone is. If I ever have a problem, I know I can talk to the team, and they’ll always be there to help.

When I’m out on sessions with Louisa, I often help with the CO monitor – a device that measures the amount of carbon monoxide in your lungs. I also assist with recording the CO scores. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned since starting here. I’ve come to understand the ongoing challenges with smoking rates, but I’ve also seen how much effort the government and organisations like ASH Wales are putting in to bring those numbers down.

Volunteering with ASH Wales has been a fantastic experience, and I’d recommend it to anyone. They’re an amazing charity doing incredible work to support people in quitting smoking and building healthier communities.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, why not get involved with ASH Wales? You’ll learn, grow, and be part of something truly meaningful.

Writing my history – Volunteering at Ash Wales

So, yes I’m here. I’m living my dream in this moment and I’m hoping my luck continues for a long time.

On the 1st of September, I started my new adventure.

One month on and I’m more familiar with my surroundings, but before to start, I need to say thank you ASH Wales for giving me this opportunity.

After 6 weeks I already know the city like the back of my hand. I’ve seen all the attractions in the city and visited a lot of cities and towns across wales. I’ve met a lot of interesting people here, aside from the people I work with and my housemates.

I’m part of a two football teams with people with people my age. I’m very happy with this, I think it’s very important to have something where you can switch off all of the stress and let off some steam. If you going to stay a long time alone, I recommend taking up a sport.

The name of my main football team is Canton Rangers CF, because the team was created for people in the area of Canton, Cardiff. At the moment we are the first in the league, who knows, maybe we can win the league!

Also I have discovered and learnt a lot about different cultures. In my house, I’m living with 6 girls, from 6 different countries. It’s difficult at times and we have a lot of differences but I’m learning a lot about their culture, food, religion and idioms – it is interesting.

I’m enjoying my volunteering experience at ASH Wales. I’ve had the opportunity to travel all around Wales, discovering a lot of amazing places with my amazing mentor bobby. We teach young people about the consequences of smoking – it’s very interesting and I am happy.

Back at the office I work like a man for all, producing graphic and web design. I would make coffee too but normally Abe does it.

I’m lucky to be in a great team with my colleges not only Bobby and Adele, also, Abe, Steve, Emily, Louisa, Julie, Suzanne and Laura. I am learning a lot and this place is giving me all the experience I need for my future. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next few months have in store for me.