/ BECOMING A CAMPAIGNER

Campaigning is not difficult to do; it involves getting people with the same views together and finding a way to express these views to the people who can make a difference. One of the easiest ways to begin campaigning is to start a discussion with people to find out who has got the same views as you, then you can decide what action you want to take.

For example; Liverpool based anti-tobacco youth group D-MYST successfully campaigned for smokefree sports stadia, including a petition of over 8000 local signatures, which resulted in both Liverpool and Everton FC deciding to make their stadia entirely smokefree.

Remember you don’t have to try to change something massive or to try to change the world, small positive changes can have an impact on many people.

If you have 2 minutes, follow our links to sign our petition and email your MP.

Act now on child labour |  Speak out on the tobacco industry

If you have 5 minutes, join our Facebook page and help spread the word to your friends.

If you have 10 minutes, take part in our poll and see how many people have expressed their views.

Take part in polls

If you have half an hour, have a conversation with your friends / youth group / Class about the impact that the tobacco industry has had on you. Download our resource pack for some ideas on how to get things started.

You could also encourage people to send letters or emails to your local Councillor or MP to raise their awareness of the negative practices of the tobacco industry and how it impacts on young people across the world.

Don’t forget that your concerns and views are important. You do not need to use long words, or try to impress people, if you write in a natural style being factual, polite and positive you have more chance of your letter being given attention.

If you are part of a youth group or a member of a school council, talk to your Youth Worker or Teacher about becoming involved with, or starting an anti-tobacco group (click on Handy Stuff for details of your local group).

Please let us know what you’re doing in your area by emailing smokeandmirrors@smokefreenorthwest.org.uk. You can also contact us for any help or further information.

/ THE SMOKE & MIRRORS CAMPAIGN WEEKEND

Around 100 young people aged 14 to18 came together at a celebrity-packed youth campaign weekend – Smoke & Mirrors – to expose the negative practices of the tobacco industry.

A unique opportunity was given to join, hear from and work with some of the world’s leading experts and campaigners who were invited to share their understanding of the Tobacco Industry issues.

The weekend was also the culmination of a young people’s short film competition, which has been created with the support of Hollyoaks producers Matt Littler, Carley Stenson and Darren Jeffries. Students were asked to create short film ideas that focused on getting across important messages on how cigarettes are extensively marketed to young people despite existing advertising restrictions on the tobacco industry.

By the end of the weekend, a deeper understanding of the negative Tobacco Industry practices was gained and everyone worked together to develop campaign strategies, look at what actions you want to take, and had an input into selecting the three film ideas to be produced.

Young people came from schools and youth groups from across the region, including Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside.

Other supporters on the weekend included Phil Redmond CBE, creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, Ian McCartney MP, Jean King from Cancer Research UK, Martin Dockrell, Director of Research and Policy at ASH and leading international expert on tobacco control, Professor Stan Glantz.