ASH Scotland is encouraging youth groups in Dumfries and Galloway to join its new Youth Conversations Hub to discuss smoking and vaping.
They are making available learning and resources to enable young people to make confident, informed decisions to protect their long-term health.
The charity will be hosting a series of in-person and online events via the hub in upcoming months to give people working or volunteering for youth organisations opportunities to connect and further their understanding of how health harming tobacco and related products such as e-cigarettes affect young people.
The hub is also providing a space for young people to share their views and experiences of smoking and vaping through its youth survey which is running until Friday 29 November.
Chief executive Sheila Duffy said: “We are delighted to launch our new Youth Conversations Hub which can equip youth group organisers and volunteers in Dumfries and Galloway, and across Scotland to share and obtain ideas about starting conversations with young people, to increase their knowledge about smoking and vaping so that they can make informed choices to protect their physical and mental health.
“We hope that, by signing up to the hub, youth organisations can support local young people to become more aware of the tobacco and e-cigarette industries’ marketing tactics targeting children, and will inspire youngsters to exercise their rights to live healthy lives by rejecting smoking or vaping.
“ASH Scotland believes that is vitally important that young people’s views are heard, so we are running a survey through youth organisations which join the hub so that youngsters themselves can directly drive the action that is needed to ensure Scotland becomes a tobacco-free generation by the target of 2034.”
To join ASH Scotland’s Youth Conversations Hub, visit www.ashscotland.org.uk/hub
