Engaging children, young people and families

Smoking is presented as a free adult choice, but is more commonly an unwilling addiction begun in childhood. 

Two-thirds of smokers started as children, 36 children in Scotland take this step every day, with huge implications for their health, finances and relationships.

ASH Scotland works with groups and organisations engaging young people, from community youth groups and family support services, through to schools and fostering agencies. 

We help these groups and organisations to support the young people that they work with to make positive and healthy choices on tobacco.

Our Children and Young People Team are here to support you, and your organisation, to: 

• sign up to the Charter for a Tobacco-Free Generation and play your part in having the next generation grow up free from tobacco.  

• access the Tobacco-free Generation web pages for information and resources to use when working with young people on tobacco prevention. 

• support and guidance on how to become a tobacco-free school. 

• support and guidance on how to become a tobacco-free youth project. 

• develop a tobacco-free campus policy for universities and colleges. 

• develop a tobacco-free policy for looked after and accommodated children and young people. 

• help families to reduce their childrens' exposure to second-hand smoke in the home.

• deliver second-hand smoke awareness sessions for parents/carers with the use of our resource pack. 

• set up a local air quality monitoring project to encourage more families to ensure their homes are smoke-free. 

For any other areas we can support you with, or to sign up to weekly bulletins on tobacco, please e-mail enquiries@ashscotland.org.uk. or call us on 0131 225 4725.