As Stoptober, the annual NHS campaign to encourage smokers to quit the habit, comes to an end, two young patients at a local hospital have won a special prize for their artistic poster designs.
Patients on the children’s ward of the University Hospital of North Tees took part in a competition to design their own ‘no smoking’ poster.
Our winners are…
Pranaya Chenna, 7, from Stillington, and Phoebe Kelly, aged 13, from Ingleby Barwick, were judged the winners of the 7-10 age and 11-16 age category competitions.
The talented duo will have their posters displayed in the hospital ward and also took home a £20 gift voucher and an art set.
“Nothing positive about smoking”
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust director of nursing Beth Swanson selected the winning designs. Beth said: “Young people like Phoebe and Pranaya are from a generation that we hope will never succumb to smoking.
“There is nothing positive about smoking and younger people know that. That’s why our tobacco dependency team and children’s ward staff ran this fun competition – so the voices of these young people can help encourage the older generation to quit smoking for good.”
Phoebe and Pranaya are now back at home but returned to the hospital to receive their prizes from Beth.
Asked why she’d never smoke, Phoebe said: “I wouldn’t smoke because I’m a dancer. It’s just so bad for you!”
For help with quitting
For more information on smoking cessation support from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, visit our smokers’ support page.
The annual NHS Stoptober campaign runs every October and provides support for smokers to quit for good.