Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 November 2004. It was answered by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent measures his Department has taken to increase the awareness in schools in the Greater London area of the dangers of smoking. - Including figures.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent measures his Department has taken to increase the awareness in schools in the Greater London area of the dangers of smoking. [195366] Mr. Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply. All pupils learn about the dangers of smoking as a statutory part of the National Curriculum Science Order and the non-statutory framework for Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). In 2003-04 we rolled out a programme of certification for PSHE teachers to improve their knowledge and expertise, including a specialist module for drug, alcohol and tobacco education. Already over 600 teachers have participated and there is funding for up to 3,000 teachers in 2004-05. The National Healthy Schools Standard (NHSS) supports the teaching of drug, alcohol and tobacco education and currently over 14,000 schools are participating. We aim to recruit all schools with a 20 per cent. or more free school meals entitlement to the NHSS by 2006. Although there is currently no pan-London project specifically on smoking, many of the local NHS Stop Smoking Services are working with schools in their area to provide support and information to teachers, pupils, and school nurses.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 195366; 426 c1392-3W;426 c1396-7W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Greater London Health education Pupils Schools Young people Smoking
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk