A NORTHSIDE youth group has launched an initiative that aims to highlight the dangers of smoking among the younger generation.
Sphere 17 Youth Centre, based in Darndale, launched the project, which forms part of the Irish Cancer Society’s X-HALE Youth Awards.
The group of youngsters were awarded a grant of e1,100 earlier this year to deliver a hard-hitting DVD that highlights the impact smoking has on the health of young people.
Now in its second year, the X-HALE Youth Awards attempts to support and engage young people in their efforts to tackle the issue of smoking in their local communities through the development of positive youth-oriented initiatives.
It also encourages youngsters to adopt an awareness strategy to smoking so they don’t take up the addictive habit at an early age. More than 50 young people attended the event.
The DVD, entitled
‘S’up smoking’, featured Angela Rock and Danielle Baker, two 16-year-old girls from Darndale, who have been working on the project since March.
Youth leader Tara Coleman told Northside People:
“Our main aim was to inform young people about the dangers of starting to smoke.
“The young people were very engaged and enthusiastic and hopefully will make an informed choice and never start smoking.
“The DVD is available from the Sphere 17 Youth Centre and will be distributed to the local schools, youth groups and the local library.
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Health Promotion Officer for the Irish Cancer Society, Eimear Cotter, said the young people involved put a lot of work into their project and were very motivated to challenge attitudes to smoking.
“The young women involved are role models for their younger peers and have made a real impact in their community informing other young people about the dangers of smoking,
? stated Ms Cotter.
“X-HALE aims to prevent young people from starting to smoke and through peer-led projects like this we are working towards that goal and hopefully will lower smoking prevalence amongst young people in Ireland.
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Bernie McDermott, who supports smokers through the Northside Partnership’s Stop Smoking Support Service, said there is a drop-in service in Darndale that provides one-to-one support and group courses for those looking to quit smoking.
Meanwhile, the Irish Cancer Society will be hosting a national showcase event in October.
The event will bring groups together from around the country who will present their anti-smoking projects to the public.
Further information on the awards can be found at www.cancer.ie