‘STUB it out’ is the message to parents who smoke outside school gates across Warwickshire.
Schools have introduced smoke free zones to encourage parents not to smoke when they drop off and pick up their children.
The move coincides with national ‘No Smoking Day’ today and aims to help prevent youngsters being tempted to try smoking.
Two posters designed by pupils have been chosen to be displayed on school railings throughout the county.
The winning posters were created by Ruby from Exhall Cedars Infant School in Exhall and Amelia from St Mary’s in Studley.
Warwickshire County Council health spokesman Coun Les Caborn said: “We all know that quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health. “What we want to achieve through installing these signs is to prevent every child from having that first cigarette to help protect their health. By stopping smoking near school gates, it helps to make smoking invisible to children and reduces their chance of trying it for themselves.”
County children’s spokesman Coun Jeff Morgan hoped the ‘stub it out’ message would hit home.
He said: “It was fantastic to see so many entries from Warwickshire pupils, the creativity and thought that went into every one of their designs was incredible.
“I hope that the messages will resonate with people dropping off and picking up children and encourage people to consider their smoking habits around young people.”
Visit quit4good.warwickshire.gov.uk for advice on giving up smoking.