A school in Durham has a new lesson – how to stop smoking. Teenager asked for the lunchtime lessons in place of smoking in the toilets. Teachers at Longfield Secondary School joined them to make the school a smoke-free area.

The school has got a strict no-smoking policy, but some teachers and cleaners smoke. Karen Robinson, the school nurse, helps with the lessons. So far, only eleven pupils say they have a problem with tobacco. However, she is optimistic. Teachers and students meet every day for about twenty minutes. “The pupils and teachers want to give up the nasty habit,” says Karen. “They help each other in these meetings”.

Liam Brady, 15, started smoking when he was twelve. “I thought it was cool to smoke. Now I know it’s stupid. I smoked a packet of cigarettes a day and never had money to go out or buy CDs.

Jane Lomas, 16, agrees. “I thought it was a glamorous thing to do, but it’s not. It’s bad for you – and your breath and clothes don’t smell very nice! I really want to stop. When I want a cigarette, I chew some special chewing gum. That’s really useful for me”.

Clive Bates, director of an anti-smoking group, said: “The teenagers are right to get help. They can see it’s not a clever thing to do. I hope more schools follow their example.