Last updated at 10:50, Tuesday, 06 April 2010

THE number of Cumbrian schoolchildren who take up smoking has fallen dramatically over the past decade, a major new survey shows.

In 1995, one in three girls aged 14 and 15 in the county were smokers, but by last year that figure fell to 19 per cent, less than one in five.

Only one in 10 boys of the same age smoked regularly.

Health experts believe the fall may be partly due to the smoking ban making the habit less socially acceptable. The figures were just one of the issues highlighted by the latest Young People in Cumbria Report, based on a survey of nearly 2,000 children aged nine to 15.

Professionals working in schools and health-related jobs say the research is likely to prove crucial in highlighting areas of concern.

The report was launched at the Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency in Penrith this week, attended by more than 40 health education experts.

The research covers a wide variety of issues affecting the health of children, including alcohol and drug use, attitudes to dieting, healthy eating, and sex and relationships.

Alan Tarn, a health education consultant who helped put together the report, said the findings on smoking pointed to one of the more encouraging trends for Cumbrians. He said: “We’re starting to see positive trends for young people, and how they are more concerned with their own health than ever before.”

The survey gives an insight into the lifestyles of Cumbrian schoolchildren. It breaks down into the following categories: drugs, alcohol, tobacco and emotional well-being and shows:

• 20 per cent of primary children and 39 per cent of secondary pupils were certain that they knew somebody who takes drugs;

• 34 per cent of secondary pupils had had at least one alcoholic drink in the previous week;

• 35 per cent of secondary pupils have tried smoking.

• 25 per cent of 14 and 15-year-old boys and 22 per cent of girls had taken illegal drugs.

• 35 per cent of primary and 28 per cent of secondary pupils at times fear going to school over bullying.

First published at 08:42, Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk