Info for Teachers
Get involved in the Smoke Free Kids Project
What’s the Smoke Free Kids Project all about?
Smoke Free Kids is a pilot project currently being undertaken in Primary Schools in Meir. The aim of Smoke Free Kids is to help raise awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke. The project is targeted at 6-8 year olds and involves creating a ‘promise contract’ between the child and the parent, regarding the level of smoke in their home.
The best possible way to protect a child from secondhand smoke is by making their lives smoke free. If parents want to start protecting their child in this way or if they already provide a smoke free home and car then they can sign up to the Platinum Promise. If they don’t feel, at this time, that they can provide a completely smoke free house then they can sign up to either the Gold or the Silver Promise. It is important to offer children at least some protection given the extreme dangers secondhand smoke poses to their health.
The Promise Categories:
Platinum
I promise to keep my house and car smoke free.
Gold
I promise to only allow smoking in one room of my house (excluding the
child’s bedroom and the living room) making sure there are no children present
and the window/door is open. The car will be smoke free.
Silver
I promise not to smoke or allow others to smoke in the same room as
children and the car will be smoke free.
Once the parent has signed up to the promise, they will receive a range of resources, including a certificate, door hangers and smoke free stickers for their home and car.
For more information on how you can get involved in the Smoke Free Kids project, contact Joy James on (01782) 400508 or email joy.james@northstaffs.nhs.uk
How can you promote Smoke Free Kids in your School
If your School has a newsletter or parents group, then this is a good opportunity to make parents aware of the Smoke Free Kids scheme and also the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Other ways of introducing the scheme are through PSHE or Citizenship lessons, by holding a health week or through the School Nurse. The local Fire Service can also come in and talk to the children. Schools can also set a good example by making the School building and the surrounding grounds smoke free, by having a smoke free policy.
For more information on making your School smoke free, contact Joy James on (01782) 400508 or email joy.james@northstaffs.nhs.uk
