On this page you will find information about smoking and young people, plus information on the sessions we offer in schools and some ideas for extra activities.

• Every day in the UK 450 young people start smoking
  
• More than 1 in 4 of all young people leaving school are regular smokers
  
• 9 out of 10 adult smokers became smokers while still in their teens
  
• A smoker who starts at the age of 15 is three times more likely to develop lung cancer than someone who starts at the age of 25

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Young people are 7 times less likely to smoke if they know their parents strongly disapprove of smoking. This is still true even if the parent is a smoker.

WHAT IF YOU SMOKE?

Some parents feel guilty that they are setting a bad example by smoking. But the important thing is that you talk to your children:

• Tell them you wish you had never started
• Try not to smoke in front of your children
• Try not to light up if you are under stress, as your children may incorrectly see it as a way of relieving stress
• Never leave cigarettes lying around as this may increase temptation to experiment

More information on this can be found in the leaflet ‘Children and Smoking. What can Parents and Carers do?’ available to download here or from G.A.S.P.