Aberdeen Youth Movement support Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation

Aberdeen Youth Movement is marking No Smoking Day today (Wednesday 13 March) by pledging to play a vital role in raising the awareness of young people across the city about the physical and mental health as well as financial benefits of being tobacco-free.

The organisation, which provides a platform for young people to create change in the city, has signed Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation and will have access to ASH Scotland’s free expert advice and resources to increase their knowledge of the harms associated with the use of tobacco and related products.

ASH Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation is an initiative to help reduce the harms caused by tobacco and related products and contribute towards achieving the goal of creating a tobacco-free generation, with smoking rates of 5% or less in communities across Scotland, by 2034.

Rebecca MacDonald from Aberdeen Youth Movement said: “To mark No Smoking Day, we are pleased to sign Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation and pledge our commitment to informing young people in Aberdeen about how they can have a better future through giving up smoking and not taking up vaping if they have never smoked.

“With Scotland aiming to have a tobacco-free generation by 2034, we are keen to contribute our time to helping young people in Aberdeen and across the country to take positive steps towards achieving their personal goals of a better life and creating a healthier society.”

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We are delighted that Aberdeen Youth Movement has signed up to the Charter and will play a vital role in informing local people about the risks of harms associated with the use of tobacco and related products such as e-cigarettes.

“Our partnership working with committed community-based organisations like AYM is vital in helping to reach more young people across Aberdeen with details about the quick positive impacts for health and personal finances that can be achieved within a year of giving up smoking.”

Click here for more details about the Charter.

Anyone with the goal of giving up smoking can contact the Quit Your Way Scotland service, run by NHS 24, by calling the free helpline on 0800 848484 or create a quit plan at Quit Your Way.