Young ones kick booze and fags
YOUNGSTERS in Rochdale are binning the booze and stubbing out the cigarettes, new figures have revealed.
Data from the Young Persons’ Alcohol, Tobacco and E-Cigarette Survey 2017 show a decline in the number of young people in the borough drinking and smoking. In total 311 high school pupils aged 14 to 17 took part in the survey by Trading Standards North West, and 84 per cent said they had never drunk alcohol, up from 46pc in 2015.
Seven out of 10 said they had never smoked, and the percentage claiming to smoke has halved in the last 10 years. Over half – 59pc – also said they had never tried an e-cigarette.
The council has been running education schemes in schools such as the Decipher-Assist peer support programme which highlights the dangers of smoking, introducing smoke-free homes, cars, places and sports clubs, and preventing underage tobacco and alcohol sales with the Responsible Retailer programme.
Councillor Jacqueline Beswick, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “It is pleasing to see that our young people are taking responsibility for their own health and wellbeing and making good lifestyle choices, which will help them thrive in years to come.
For more information, advice and support to cut down or quit smoking or drinking visit rochdale.gov. uk/health.