Smoking and Wiltshire Schools

Tobacco use amongst young people

From the Health Related Behaviour Survey (2008) involving 2,387 pupils from 31 Wiltshire schools:

• 96% of Primary School pupils said that they had never smoked at all;
• 0% of Primary School pupils said that they had smoked at least one cigarette in the last seven days;
• 2% of Primary School pupils said they would definitely smoke when they are older 9% said maybe;
• 80% of year 8 pupils and 55% of year 10 pupils said that they had never smoked at all;
• 2% of year 8 boys and 14% of year 10 boys reported that they smoke occasionally or regularly;
• 3% of year 8 girls and 15% of year 10 girls reported that they smoke occasionally or regularly.

Levels of smoking are similar to those in comparable counties, and levels of smoking amongst Wiltshire young people have reduced significantly since 2002

Addressing tobacco related issues in Wiltshire schools

For schools tobacco education is an element within drug education, delivered by teachers as part of a programme of Personal and Social Health Education (PSHE). Aspects relating to tobacco are also be covered by the delivery of Citizenship and Science. The inclusive definition of ‘drugs’ used by schools includes tobacco as well as other substances. Guidance for Wiltshire schools on delivering drug education, as well as managing drug related incidents (including tobacco related incidents) is provided in the document: Young People and Drugs: Guidelines for schools (WCC, 2005).

Advice and support on all aspects relating to drug education and managing drug related incidents is available to Wiltshire schools from the Personal Development Education Adviser for Drugs: Nick Bolton, part of Wiltshire Personal Development Education Team. Educational input is also available to primary pupils from Jo Cutting (Life Education Centre Educator), also part of the team.

Support is provided to enable teachers to provide drug education to pupils, develop drug policies (which should specifically mention tobacco), manage related incidents and access support from other agencies where appropriate.  For further details contact Nick Bolton 01225 793349 nickbolton@wiltshire.gov.uk

Local and national organisations are also able to support schools in their work around smoking. In Wiltshire support has been provided in the form of talks and presentations, drama and the development of peer education. Smoking cessation support is available from School Health Nurses.

Many Wiltshire schools can demonstrate that they are addressing tobacco related issues by achieving National Healthy School Status.

Teachers are able to develop their skills in addressing tobacco related issues, as part of a broader focus on health, by completing the National PSHE Certification.