Pupils aim to stub out smoking

Thoughtless parents who risk children’s health by smoking at the school gates are being targeted in a new campaign dreamed up by pupils.

A contest to design an eyecatching message has resulted in a poster being displayed outside three primaries in Canterbury.

The competition, entered by children from St John’s, Parkside and St Stephen’s Junior School, was won by nine-year-year old Kadie Marsh from St John’s.

The school’s family liaison officer, Veronica Pellant, said: “There has been a bit of a problem with parents smoking in some areas and it was something the children felt strongly about, having been learning of the dangers of passive smoking.”

Although not legally enforceable, it is hoped the posters urging smoke-free school gates will encourage a change in parents’ behaviour.

The project was supported by Kent County Council cabinet member for public health, Graham Gibbens, who is also the councillor for Canterbury city north east.

He used his member grant to support the scheme, which includes a set of specially produced and installed signs, plus a £100 donation for each of the schools taking part.

He said: “Last year we pro- moted smoke-free play areas in the Canterbury area alongside the city council and now this partnership with schools is another step in our ambition to provide a smoke-free environment for families to enjoy.

“We want to help protect children from the effects of secondhand smoke, and reduce the number of children who start smoking.

“Although the scheme is voluntary, we hope it will prove popular with parents and carers and we would hope to repeat it at sites across the county.”

St John’s head teacher Jo Warnock added “This was a great opportunity to encourage our pupils to express their own views and wishes for our school. Pupil voice can be very powerful and we are looking forward to seeing the impact of their hard work.”

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Cllr Graham Gibbens with pupils and staff representing St John’s, Parkside and St Stephen’s School’s who took part in the poster competition urging no smoking at the school gates; Kadie Marsh, nine, who designed the winning poster