Peer education programme promotes anti-smoking message
Last updated | 29/04/2008
A new initiative in Perth & Kinross Council schools is promoting healthy living and an anti-smoking message, and today (Tuesday 29 April), prizes will be presented to pupils at St Columba's High School who achieved the highest scores in a quiz about smoking prevention.
Lead by the Perth & Kinross Transition Partnership (including representatives from Education & Children’s Services, Tayside Police, NHS Tayside, Careers Scotland and Perth & Kinross Leisure), with funding support from NHS Tayside, a Peer Education Programme has been set up to run at five secondary schools (Perth Academy, Perth High School, Perth Grammar School, St Columba's and Blairgowrie High School). The programme is being co-ordinated by Perth & Kinross Council Health Promotion Worker Katie Griffiths.
In October 2007, the programme was promoted to S2 pupils at each of the participating schools in assembly. This was led by Perth Academy pupils who acted out a play that they wrote, directed and were performing in, which highlighted a number of issues and factors that could influence or encourage a young person to start smoking.
Pupils who volunteered to become Peer Educators took part in an initial eight-week programme where they considered many of the issues that surround smoking and young people.
