Press Release - AF&RS and Frampton Cotterell youngsters join forces to warn of the dangers of smoking

Friday 5 March 2007
15.00hrs

Pupils from Frampton Cotterell Church of England Primary School have been tapping into their creative sides to warn others of the dangers of smoking.

Working in teams, the youngsters from Year Three designed posters as part of a competition run by Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) and Smoke Free South Gloucestershire.

The winners were named during a special assembly at the school on Friday (March 2) and presented with certificates by Councilor Sheila Cook, Vice Chair of Avon Fire Authority, Stuart Matthews, AF&RS Community Safety Officer for South Gloucestershire and Lorraine Green from Smoke Free South Gloucestershire.

Pupils Martin Broderick, Dominic Whitehead and Declan Grimstead came up with the winning entry.

During the assembly, Stuart talked to the youngsters about the dangers of smoking, both as a long-term health risk, but also as a hazard in the home.

He said: “I’m delighted that the pupils from Frampton Cotterell School took part in this competition and very impressed with quality of the designs.

“These posters illustrate how the children feel about cigarette smoke and the harmful effect that can happen, not only through being ill but also from the risk of fire in their own home.

“National statistics show that more people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires with any other single cause, so it is very important that we try to get these safety messages across.”

Bonnie Murley, Headteacher at Frampton Cotterell Church of England Primary School, said: “We feel that it is very important to get the message across to young people about the dangers of smoking and fire.

“We have enjoyed taking part in designing the posters to promote awareness of these issues.”