Presentation used with all pupils at school house assemblies

1. Currie community high school is a smoke free zone:
• We believe that everyone has the right to
breathe clean air
• This means the use of any tobacco product,
including e-cigarettes & vapourizers, are not
permitted in or around school grounds
• We are working together with ASH Scotland
and the NHS to reduce the number of
students and staff who smoke.

2. Why are we doing this?
• Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death and ill
health in our society
• Nobody smokes their first cigarette thinking they’ll be a smoker, but if you’re
experimenting it’s easy to become hooked.
• Every day in Scotland, a classroom full of young people take up smoking –
that’s 13,000 young Scots each year.
• Two thirds of smokers start before they are 18 – most regret having done so.
• Most adult smokers start in their teens, half of them will be killed by their
habit - on average, they’ll pay nearly £2,000 a year for the privilege.
• E-cigarettes/vapours are not currently recognised as a safe ‘stop smoking’
resource & the law prohibits the sale or supply to under 18s. Therefore the
use or possession of e-cigarettes amongst young people is also prohibited at
Currie Community High School.

4. The story so far…
• 28 students trained as no smoking peer supporters.
• S2 Teenage Cancer Trust talk every year
• Student, staff and parental survey
• No smoking day events
• Lessons in PSE and across the curriculum
• Progress shared via school newsletter and information on website
• Increased supervision around the school and in the community
• S3 Graphics Class designed new signs
• Updated School No Smoking Policy
• NHS stop smoking support in school

5. S3 Graphics Class
THIS IS A SMOKE FREE ZONE!

6. Policy Student found using cigarettes,
vapours or e-cigarettes in or
around school grounds
Asked to stop smoking /
products confiscated
Year head / Pupil support
leader informed
- Support & advice offered
Parents/carers
informed
Refer to NHS stop
smoking facilitator
It is an offence to
smoke in all
enclosed public
spaces and in the
grounds of
Edinburgh Council
property
Pupils supplying
tobacco products to
other young people
will be reported to
the School Link
Police Officer and
parents/carers
informed

7. Support
• If you are a smoker, stopping smoking remains the single most
important thing you can do to improve your health.
• With support and appropriate medication you are FOUR times more
likely to successfully stop smoking.

8. Support
Students can access the NHS smoking cessation service for advice or an
appointment*:
• Text “Stop smoking” to 07969 530 266
• Call 0131 537 7154
• Email: SmokeFreeYouth@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
• Speak to your PSL Apps:
* Appointments are confidential & can be arranged outside of school

9. Summary
The vast majority of pupils and staff at Currie Community High School
do not smoke and never will. They have a right to clean air and a healthy
learning environment/workplace.
At Currie High School we aim to focus on:
Prevention – creating an environment where young people choose not
to smoke, through education and positive role models (staff & students)
Protection – protecting people from second-hand smoke.
Cessation – helping people quit smoking