Developing a youth tobacco control advocacy group: findings after the first year
Liz Illman, Senior Advisor - Lead for Young People and Pregnancy, Smokefree Camden, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK and Sarah Morris, Smokefree Camden Young Peoples Advisor, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK

Abstract
The evidence relating to smoking cessation and prevention in young people is in-conclusive, however it suggests that peer led interventions are effective and there is evidence of how young people can be engaged in tobacco control, through the US ‘Truth Campaign’ as well as UK based programmes. NHS Camden has developed a Health Ambassadors project from which Smokefree Camden has recruited and trained seven youth Tobacco Control Advocates (aged 11 to 19 years). Their aims are to learn about the smoking habits of young people in Camden and work to reduce this.

The key achievements of this group will be outlined, including developing targeted advertising for the stop smoking service, and the skills that have been gained by the group, including presentation skills, organisational skills and others. Important factors that ensure that this programme will continue to thrive will be outlined, including effective incentives, training and a sense of personal achievement for the young people. Finally, future plans for these advocates are outlined, including training them to support other young people to carry out the ASSIST peer prevention programme in local secondary schools and to continue to campaign on their priority Tobacco Control issues, which are litter and second hand smoke.