Roberts Backs Smoke Free Class Competition

Thousands of children across Wales are from the 1st December 2009 making a pledge not to smoke as the Smokefree Class Competition 2009/10 officially kicks off. The competition, now in its 13th year, is being supported by Cardiff Blues and Wales rugby player Jamie Roberts, who hopes to help discourage children from taking up smoking whilst in high school. Aimed at pupils aged between 11 and 13, the Smokefree Class Competition asks pupils to sign monthly commitment forms from December to April to reaffirm their pledge not to smoke. Every month for the duration of the competition, teachers and pupils also engage in a series of in-class activities aimed to facilitate discussion about smoking and highlight the benefits of staying smoke-free. Towards the end of the competition, a series of prize draws will take place, rewarding schools for their commitment to the project.   Last year, more than 12,000 pupils between the ages of 11 and 13 entered the competition and five classes won top prizes of £750 to spend on school projects of their choice. Jamie Roberts is proud to be supporting the competition, and as a top athlete understands the importance of staying smoke-free. "If you want to be a winner on or off the pitch then you have to be at your best, and smoking doesn’t allow for this. Smoking is bad for your health, affects your overall body performance and will prevent you from achieving your sporting goals.  The Smokefree Class Competition is a great way to educate children about the negative impacts of smoking." Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said that it was very important to educate young people on the dangers of experimenting with smoking. “Nicotine is highly addictive and smoking has devastating health effects.  It is vital that we do everything we can to protect our young people from starting to smoke,” he said.  

For further details about the Smokefree Class Competition please visit www.healtheschool.org.uk