Charter Champion: Jackie Brock

Principle 4: Every child has the right to effective education that equips them to make informed positive choices on tobacco and health

Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland has supported the Charter since its launch and is particularly enthusiastic about the way in which young people have been involved in developing their own campaigns against smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke and teaching younger children about healthy lifestyles. 

“We know from our own participation work throughout Scotland how strongly young people feel about leading healthy lifestyles and supporting their peers to do the same. We’ve visited and learnt from many schools who’ve run very creative anti-smoking campaigns and rightly take seriously the idea of actively shaping a healthier future for Scotland. In 2018 smoking is becoming a marginal habit that most young people view as being firmly part of the past. As we celebrate the Year of Young People 2018 and everything that children are able to contribute to our society, let’s make sure we keep it that way.”

Providing young people with knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking will help to shape, inform and guide the choices that young people make.  Schools and youth work providers have a vital role to play in nurturing and supporting young people as they make the transition into adulthood.  

By reviewing and updating the way in which tobacco education is delivered and by introducing tobacco prevention messages more broadly across the curriculum and youth-work provision, young people in Scotland will be supported to make informed choices on their health.

Blog

In this article Jackie writes about the importance of ensuring that every child has the right to effective education that equips them to make positive informed choices and how we can go about this. Towards a tobacco-free generation through effective education.

Useful links:

• Tobacco-free Schools resources
• Tobacco-free Youth Projects
• Smoke-free Play resources
• Charter Case Studies
• Fast Facts
• Year of Young People 2018