Pupils join fight against underage alcohol and tobacco sales
Birmingham City Council is turning to the city’s schools for reinforcements in the battle against underage alcohol and tobacco sales.
Trading Standards and Public Health officials are supporting the Trading Standards Institute’s ‘Create a Campaign’competition, which calls on teams of young people aged 12-15 to get creative in the fight against underage sales.
The ‘Create a Campaign’ initiative invites teams of young people aged 12-15 to get creative and come up with a campaign to combat illegal underage sales.
Schools will compete for one of two £1,000 prizes on the national stage and will also be in the frame to win iPads in the Birmingham competition.
Birmingham schools are being urged to focus on:
- Underage sales
- Illegal and fake alcohol and tobacco products
- Shisha
- Pre-loading (drinking to excess before a night out)
Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr John Cotton, said: “I completely understand that young people don’t want to hear me talking about the dangers of drinking and smoking and I suspect many existing campaigns have limited appeal for a younger audience.
“But these issues have a real impact on young people in Birmingham and this competition is an opportunity for them shape their own campaigns in a way that will appeal young people.
“We’re looking for schools to come up with social media campaigns that can reach a younger audience. That might mean using Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat or other platforms. Who knows? I’m looking forward to some creative entries.”
Chair of Licensing and Public Protection Committee, Cllr Barbara Dring, said: “I always welcome any opportunity to focus on reducing and combatting underage sales of tobacco and alcohol in the City, particularly when campaigns involve our young people.
“I look forward to seeing the creative ideas that Birmingham school children present and at the same time raising their awareness too of the issues. This also sends a strong message out that we do not want young people in our city having access to tobacco and alcohol.”
For more information about ‘Create a Campaign’ go to http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/events/agerestrictedproductscomp.cfm
