Over 80% of smokers start before the age of 19.

Half of all long-term smokers will die of cancer or other smoking-related diseases.

Except not all forms of cancer  are smoking related. Lung cancer is smoking related.

Secondary Schools from across the Shepway area, including The Marsh Academy, Folkestone School For Girls, The Brook and Pent Valley Technical College took part in a project where drama students had the opportunity to write, produce and perform their own play about smoking. Ian from KIC theatre company worked closely with the students enabling them to achieve some powerful and perfection work. All aspects of smoking were included, health (including death), peer pressure, vanity and the control of nicotine. The final group from Pent Valley Technical College had their performance filmed by a local professional film company Folkestone Film Factory. The film will be used to educate other schools and shown in local primary schools across the district.

Over 2000 people die each week from smoking related illnesses Each cigarette contains over 4000 chemicals, some of which are Carbon monoxide, Tar (road surfaces) Acetone (paint stripper), Ammonia (cleaning agent) Arsenic (poison), Butane (lighter fuel), Formaldehyde (embalming fluid), Methanol (rocket fuel), Radon (radioactive gas).

• Over 80% of smokers start before the age of 19.
• Tobacco advertising has been banned on television, in print and on billboards. Yet children are still regularly exposed to branding on packs and attractive tobacco displays in shops. By removing tobacco from public view and introducing plain packaging, we can reduce the pull towards a potentially deadly addiction. For more information on smoking and how to quit go to www.smokefree.nhs.uk