Follow @TheSmokeScreen

The negative impact that cigarette addiction can have on a young person’s education and attainment can go unnoticed. Nicotine addiction and the withdrawal symptoms that start to take effect immediately after the last cigarette cause irritability, mood swings and agitation. In a classroom environment this is often perceived as bad behaviour and poor engagement. Additionally, carbon monoxide (inhaled from cigarette smoke) reduces the oxygen levels in the brain, which leads to poorer concentration and a reduced attention span.

“It (smoking) can lead to children falling behind their peers, and may also lead to social isolation.”
Breaking the cycle, British Medical Association. 2007

Most smokers start in their teens and a higher proportion of young smokers will be from less privileged backgrounds. Discouraging young people from smoking and motivating them to quit has long been a difficult subject matter to approach. Dealing with smoking is one of the best ways to improve a school’s grades, and the behaviour and overall wellbeing of its students.

The SmokeScreen is an innovative and radical approach to tobacco education. Rather than educating already addicted smokers, it is aimed at young people who have not yet started. Developed from market research with those aged 11 to 19 it uses a new engaging format to reduce the uptake of smoking amongst young people.

Here are some testimonials and a video with feedback from young people:

“I learned lots from the Smokescreen, I never want to smoke.”
Year 7 student at Sir Jonathan North Community College.

“You guys have inspired me to talk to my mum and dad about them quitting smoking.”
Year 10 student at English Martyrs Catholic School.

“It was such a great day. The kids were so up for it and the ‘replacement’ smoker campaign angle was seen as really interesting, refreshing and powerful.”
Teacher at Beaumont Leys School.

The SmokeScreen @ Leicester College