A project to train schools' most influential pupils to become anti-smoking mentors is to be rolled out across the south west of England and Wales.
The universities of Bristol and Cardiff project has already been trialled and found that pupils in schools with such peer mentors were less likely to smoke than in other schools.
Both universities have now formed a social enterprise called DECIPHer IMPACT to roll out the scheme in schools across their local areas.
The roll-out has been funded by primary care trusts in the south west of England and Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Based on the trial, the academics involved believe a national roll out could cut the number of 14- and 15-year-olds who take up smoking by 40,000. The social enterprise is also considering expanding the project's scope to tackle issues such as obesity and drug and alcohol abuse.
Professor Rona Campbell, from the University of Bristol's School of Social and Community Medicine and co-founder of the project, said: "Our research has shown that teenagers respond far better to anti-smoking messages from their peers than they do from the government, the NHS, their teachers or even their parents."
Both universities have now formed a social enterprise called DECIPHer IMPACT to roll out the scheme in schools across their local areas.
The roll-out has been funded by primary care trusts in the south west of England and Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Based on the trial, the academics involved believe a national roll out could cut the number of 14- and 15-year-olds who take up smoking by 40,000. The social enterprise is also considering expanding the project's scope to tackle issues such as obesity and drug and alcohol abuse.
Professor Rona Campbell, from the University of Bristol's School of Social and Community Medicine and co-founder of the project, said: "Our research has shown that teenagers respond far better to anti-smoking messages from their peers than they do from the government, the NHS, their teachers or even their parents."
