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School smoking ban returns after outcry
EXCLUSIVE By IAN ROSSER Education Reporter A Leeds school blasted over its smoking policy has made a U-turn.
Tinshill Learning Centre in Cookridge had allowed pupils as young as 14 to smoke as part of a programme it claimed was designed to help them quit.
As long as parents gave consent, the youngsters were allowed to light up between lessons in a designated area at the centre, which caters for 120 14 to 16-year-olds who have been expelled from mainstream schools.
The arrangement, exclusively revealed in the YEP earlier this month, has now been scrapped following continued criticism.
Dr Ian Cameron, director of public health at the North West Primary Care Trust, said: "We understand the unique circumstances of the children that attend the Tinshill Learning Centre.
"However this should not mean we condone smoking in anyway, it should be made clear that smoking should not be an acceptable lifestyle choice for young people."
Leeds City Councillor Les Carter, executive member responsible for environmental health, also blasted the policy.
"It is a fact that smoking damages health and it should not be encouraged by allowing this type of behaviour on school premises.
"Next year smoking on school premises will be made illegal and nationally the age limit on smoking is being looked at, with a view to increasing it to 18.
Message
"We should not send out the wrong message to young people that it is okay to smoke."
The Tinshill centre, run by Education Leeds and part of a Leeds Healthy Schools scheme, re-introduced the smoking ban yesterday, having allowed pupils to light up since early September. About 10 parents had given written permission allowing their children to smoke on the grounds.
A spokeswoman for Education Leeds said: "We do not and never have, encouraged or condoned smoking in any of our learning environments and do everything we can to support our young people to make healthy lifestyle choices.
"Following a planned review of the trial smoking cessation programme at Tinshill Learning Centre, the decision has been taken to stop arrangements for smoking anywhere on the site.
"We are committed to protecting the individual safety and well-being of pupils at the centre and will continue to pursue a pragmatic approach towards working with parents and carers looking at alternative measures to support these young people giving up smoking.
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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