WHO, dept engage students in anti-smoking advocacy

YOUNG people must take ownership and be advocates for a non-tobacco society World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Dr Luo Dapeng said when observing the World No Tobacco Day on June 21.
Dapeng said, according to research conducted in PNG schools, one-third of students aged between 13-16 years old were smoking.
He said WHO had also noticed that some smokers (students) tried to stop but found it hard.
Dapeng said, for that reason, WHO together with the National Department of Health had decided to target students to be advocates through the “breathe” competition with the aim for students to participate in the campaign to understand the dangers of smoking and to advocate to others around them.
“Students are always the target for the tobacco industry and so we try to always ensure that we have fewer young smokers to maintain the business,” Dapeng said.
“We need everyone, especially young people to be advocates for a non-tobacco society.
“‘Do not start smoking, that is the message we want to tell the students and to make them aware that tobacco is harmful and that more than half of the smokers eventually die of diseases related to smoking.
“Do not let tobacco take your breath away.”
Dapeng congratulated student who took part in the “breathe” campaign and the schools and teachers that supported the campaign.
Health Department programme manager Vicky Wari said the students would become educators through the competition; they would become role models, highlighting the consequences of smoking.
“Smoke contributes to diseases like heart disease, strokes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases that will affect your quality of life,” Wani said.
“So as you take up this competition, we would like to see that you be good advocates against smoking; if you smoke please we urge you to stop.”
The day saw a presentation of awards to students who had participated in the competition and the launch at the Salvation Army Boroko primary school.