A ‘striking’ approach for young people
Laura Estelle Kerridge, Lead Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor - Young People and Tobacco, NHS Leeds, UK

Abstract
The Striking project was designed to deliver a comprehensive user-friendly tobacco package for young people (12 to 17 year olds) within a school setting. The project aimed to prevent the uptake and reduce smoking prevalence in young people across Leeds, increase knowledge and skills, and support young people to make healthier life choices. The Striking project offered young people the opportunity to enhance their personal, social and educational development and improve access to wide-ranging support networks.

In the developmental stages the Striking project identified a small focus group to design the ‘Striking’ branding and provide ideas of how to deliver the striking project in a school setting. The striking project had two elements; prevention, aimed at the year 7s and 8s and cessation, which was a whole school, community approach. A small steering group was set up to take the work forward within the school and local community settings. Striking raised awareness within the school and local community through assemblies, health fairs, parents evenings, staff meetings, newsletters. Young people voluntarily joined the programme. Striking provided training to nominated professionals to raise knowledge and skills around young people and tobacco.