Caerphilly Youth Forum has won an award for its work promoting an anti-smoking campaign, which resulted in smoking being banned in playgrounds throughout the borough.
The Excellence in Tobacco Control Awards for Wales 2012 ceremony, held at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, saw Caerphilly Youth Forum win the Adult and Youth Advocates Category.
Throughout 2012, Caerphilly Youth Forum worked on a project aimed at raising awareness to children, young people and adults on issues within the borough’s parks – including vandalism, litter, dog mess and smoking.
As part of the project the youth forum aimed to make all 100 children’s play areas in the county borough smoke-free.
Felicity Waters, press and Campaigns Manager at anti-smoking group ASH Wales said: “This was a new category for us this year which aimed to highlight some of the work undertaken by people in Wales who are passionate about taking forward tobacco-related issues in their community and making things better for others.
“Caerphilly Youth Forum really stood out as a fantastic example of youth leadership, showing how the voices of young people can make a real difference. Their campaign is now leading the way for smoke-free playgrounds across Wales and we’re very proud of their achievement.”
Cllr David Poole, cabinet member for community and leisure services, added: “As a council we were delighted to be the first in Wales to ban smoking in children’s play areas and commend Caerphilly Youth Forum for their the hard work throughout the year to bring an important goal to fruition.”
Well done to the Youth Forum on winning this award. It goes to show that young people's voices must be given a fair hearing. Its pleasing that CCBC sat up and took note of what the Youth Forum were campaigning on in respect of this award. Hoping more success and awards will follow in 2013.