Sharonlea Primary School learners are taught about the dangers of smoking.
South Africa continues to participate in the ‘Commit to quit’ campaign against tobacco. On June 3, stakeholders from anti-tobacco campaigns such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the National Department of Health in the Tobacco Control Unit, the National Council Against Smoking, Douglasdale Police Station, and the Gauteng Department of Education educated learners about the effects of tobacco.
Sharon Nyatsanza from the National Council Against Smoking emphasised the need for a smoking-free generation. “We celebrate the Sharonlea Primary School learners for being winners. When you quit tobacco, you are a winner and when you don’t start to smoke tobacco you are a winner,” said Nyatsanza.
“The badges against tobacco and nicotine will be won here in primary schools because that is where the industries are targeting.”
Nyatsanza added that most smokers start at the age of 10. “They become addicted and end up being lifetime smokers.”
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ country coordinator Zanele Mthembu said, “We need to alert children to the tactics of the tobacco industries that are designed to lure them into smoking,” said Mthembu.
Gauteng Education Johannesburg North District acting director Vuyi Cindi said, “It’s important that we educate children about smoking because it’s dangerous and harmful and it kills in the end.”
Primary schools were celebrated and awarded for their artistic murals against smoking tobacco as part of the campaign. Sharonlea Primary School was the winner of the best artistic mural.
Principal Judy Ayres said, “We as the Sharonlea Primary School are very proud of our learners who were able to convey a very strong message against smoking tobacco through arts at its best; we hope they go out in the world to influence their peers in becoming ambassadors of free smoking generation.”
The school choir concluded the event with a performance of the national anthem.
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