Stop Smoking, Start Breathing

SUMMARY

The use of tobacco and smoking, especially among young people is a wolrdwide issue that should continuously be worked on. In Kosovo, here is lack of accurate data on tobacco use; however, the smoking rate is considered very high and th esmoking ban in public places such as parliament, institutions, schools, sport centres, restaurants, bars and other public places is not respected. Figures from studies of preparatory researches , conducted in Kosovo in 2001 and 2002, show that 47.2 % of surveyed youth had smoked for the first time before their 18th year of age and in an observatory study conudted in nine high schools in Kosovo, 18.6% of the surveyed were smokers ( a definitions that means that smoking at least 10 cigarettes during a 24 hour period). Hence through this project a campaing will be held using a different approach to raise awareness about the need to have smoke-free places and to curb the use of tobacco among the population of Kosovo. Through various street activites, as well as using online and multimedia tools, we aim at adressing the problem of smoking.

ACTIVITIES

Online posters

Documentary

Recycle smart

Boxing match

Cigarette board

Giant picture in the square

RESULTS

Target groups of this project were smokers (adults and young people), potential smokers, and the general populations of Kosovo. Campaings were held in 7 towns of Kosovo ( Prishtine, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Mitrovica, Peje, Gjakove, and Prizren). In each town large number of people had the chance to see the activities organized by the group of young ambassadors. This groups of youngsters acted as role models for other children to develop initiatives on anti-smoking (and other issues). Also, awareness was raised about the benefit of not smoking through the creation of posters reaching out to many people. Moreover, the campaigns in each town had a wide media coverage.