Non-Smoking Policy

Introduction
At Ballymena Primary School we believe that smoking is harmful to health and we strongly discourage our children from smoking. Consequently our school is a non-smoking establishment. In line with current legislation, smoking is not permitted in the school building or the grounds of Ballymena Primary School.

Rationale
Almost a quarter of young people are regular smokers by the age of 15. About 450 children in the UK take up smoking every day. Our school does all it can to discourage children from smoking, and to educate them so that they grow up to lead a healthy lifestyle. Second-hand smoking has been shown to cause cancers, heart and respiratory disease in non-smokers.

Aims and Objectives
We aim to:

1. help children know and understand the dangers of smoking and the harmful effects that smoking can have on their bodies.
2. provide children with the knowledge and information necessary for them to make responsible choices in relation to smoking.
3. equip children with the social skills to enable them to resist the pressure to smoke, either from their peer group or from society in general.
4. provide a healthy working environment to protect the health of staff, pupils and visitors.

Organisation
The dangers of smoking arise as an issue in science lessons particularly at KS2 when children learn about the way substances affect the body.

Primary 7 children work through the “Smokebusters” project, which is produced by the Ulster Cancer Foundation.

The school is recognised by Action Cancer and Centra as one of the most health conscious schools in Northern Ireland and holds the Silver Action Cancer Health Action Award.

The school holds the National Clean Air Award coordinated by the Ulster Cancer Foundation.

Parents may view any of the smoking-related materials that we use in our school.

Smoking is prohibited on school premises, at entrances and in grounds. We do not want to present smoking as acceptable nor do we wish to present adult smokers as role models.

We would ask that parents and friends refrain from smoking at any school related event that takes place at a venue other than school, e.g. at Sports Day in the People’s Park, at school football matches etc.

Monitoring and review
This policy, which has been endorsed by the Board of Governors, will be reviewed and up-dated in line with the Health Education policy.