Local Kids Get The Picture On Smokefree Day

Media Release

Local school kids get the picture on World Smokefree Day

Students in Taranaki illustrate their feelings about being smokefree in a poster competition to celebrate World Smokefree Day.

First place has been awarded to a Manukorihi Intermediate student, who wins great prizes for both herself and her school. Second and third prize places were taken by students from New Plymouth Girls' High School and Hawera High School respectively.

Students were asked to create a poster based around the 2007 World Smokefree Day theme; 'Smokefree – It's about Us". Taranaki DHB Health Promotion Unit staff, who coordinated the competition, were impressed by the number and quality of the entries. "It's fantastic to see so many young people taking the time to create a piece of art that's celebrating being smokefree. By taking the time to create a poster, these students are learning for themselves the benefits of being smokefree, whilst also further reinforcing the message to their peers that smoking just isn't "cool" anymore," said Health Promoter Emma Hope.

Posters from each school were displayed at The Warehouse in New Plymouth where community members were able to vote for their favourite poster.

Ms. Hope says she is looking forward to even more schools becoming involved in 2008. "With youth smoking continuing to be a serious issue, this competition used a creative approach to encourage both school students and the wider community to discover the benefits of being smokefree."

The coordinators of the competition would like to thank The Warehouse for their support in housing the competition, as well as the following participating schools: Manukorihi Intermediate School, New Plymouth Girls' High School, Francis Douglas Memorial College, Spotswood College, Hawera High School and Waitara High School.

ENDS

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