Awards for helping young smokers quit

TWO South Tyneside projects have been honoured for helping young smokers kick the habit.

Depaul UK’s Jigsaw Project and the Key Project took part in a national No Smoking Day event, staging a debate with the young people they help, all aged between 16 and 25 and homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

Both based in Tyne Dock, South Shields, the projects were named No Smoking Day Organiser Of The Year and awarded for Best Activity On A Small Budget.

Duncan Bannatyne, business dragon and ambassador for No Smoking Day, said: “With more than nine million UK adults hooked on smoking, the work of local organisers is crucial in helping them get the advice and support they need to kick the habit for good.

“Depaul UK and Key Project impressed us with its energy, creativity and, ultimately, its success in helping smokers quit, and I hope other organisations in South Tyneside will follow their brilliant example next year.”

Jean Burnside, chief officer of the Key Project, said: “I’m delighted that the organisations have received this prestigious national award.”

The South Tyneside projects were pitted against more than 160 others across the UK.

Jo Burlton, for Depaul UK, said: “By winning this award, it is recognition for both projects of how working together can have a positive impact on the young people we work with, helping them in making decisions and improving the quality of their lives.”

No Smoking Day this year included everything from breath tests to reveal smokers’ ‘lung ages,’ to LED screens emblazoned with quit smoking messages.