Smoke-Free Generation Driving Tobacco out of Ireland

News Article | 02 Jul 2015

2nd July 2015: Today over 40 youth groups from Ireland’s first smoke-free generation will attend the Irish Cancer Society’s X-HALE Youth Awards 2015. Calling themselves #theXgeneration, the youth groups are showcasing films and community action projects which they have created on the issue of smoking.  Almost 300 young people are expected to attend today’s event which will see the youth groups airing their film projects, which they have written and produced themselves, on the big screen in the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield. Others will present Community Action Projects which they have devised for their own communities with a view to tackling smoking and empowering others to follow their lead.   Youth smoking rates in Ireland have continued to decline in recent years giving this generation of young people the power and the opportunity to make sure that they are Ireland’s first tobacco free generation.  Almost nine out of ten young people are now smoke free in Ireland according to recent data from the HBSC. In 1998, over one fifth of young people (21.2%) were considered as ‘current smokers’ compared to just over one tenth (11.9%) in 2010*, a reduction of nearly half in the numbers smoking. The HSE Tobacco Tracker Survey also signals that the numbers of young people smoking has fallen again in 2014. Kevin O’Hagan, Health Promotion Manager said: “We have 41 youth groups from around the country participating in the X-HALE Youth Awards. They have decided to take on smoking in their own communities and the results are extremely powerful. The films and community action projects which they have developed show that #theXgeneration is here to stay. They can be Ireland’s first smoke-free generation and they are telling us in their own way that the time is up for the tobacco industry in this country.  I would like to congratulate each of the youth groups involved for taking part and for making a positive impact on their health and that of their peers. Many of the youth groups here today have also been recognised by receiving an X-HALE Youth Award for exceptional effort in their projects. We need to look at what #theXgeneration are saying. They are educated on the issue of smoking and are refusing to let their health be affected by tobacco.”John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said: “Well done to all of the youth groups involved in the Irish Cancer Society’s X-HALE Youth Awards. It is fantastic to see young people lead the fight against tobacco and have such an influence on their country’s health as a result. The Tobacco Industry need to realise that #theXgeneration is here to stay and time is up for Big Tobacco in Ireland.”   The groups competed for various awards in different categories in today’s X-HALE Youth Awards with winners selected by an independent judging panel comprising of individuals from the entertainment, film and healthcare industries. This is the fifth year of the X-HALE Youth Awards which began in December 2010 when the Society invited applications from youth groups from all over Ireland for funding under the scheme. Since its inception, the Society has invested approximately €130,000 in support for youth groups across the country. The films projects from the X-HALE Youth Awards can be viewed online (www.cancer.ie/xhale2015) and to date they have received in excess of 92,461 views. Follow the X-HALE conversation on social media using #theXgeneration or ‘like’ the X-HALE Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/XHaleYouthAwards.   The winners of the Irish Cancer Society X-HALE Youth Awards 2015 are listed below: 

Irish Cancer Society X-HALE Youth Awards 2015 Winners

  • Overall Winner (Senior)– Enniscorthy Youthreach from Enniscorthy, Wexford for the Film ‘Passive Nightmares’
  • Overall Winner (Junior)– St. Bridget’s Guides from Clonmel, Tipperary for the Film ‘The Smoking Dead’
  • Runner Up (Senior)– Stoneybatter CTC from Dublin 7 for the Film‘No’
  • Runner Up (Junior)– Roscommon Quad Youth Centre from Roscommon Town for the Film‘iSmokeD’
  • Online Winner(Most Views on YouTube) – Enniscorthy Youthreach for the Film ‘Passive Nightmares’
  • Most Convincing Smoking Prevention Message– Blanchardstown Community Training Centre for the Film ‘Poison’
  • Best Health Effects Message– The Junction Youth and Community Group from Ennis, Co. Clare for the Film ‘Just Blowin’ Off Steam’
  • Best Message about the Tobacco Industry– Youthreach Miltown Malbay, Co.Clare for the film ‘Project X’
  • Most Creative Smoking Prevention / Cessation Film– Gateway Youth Project from Athlone, Co.Westmeath for the Film ‘The Silent Killer’
  • Judges Choice Award –Acorn Youth Project from Edenderry, Co. Offaly for the Film ‘Murder She Smoked’
  • Best Actor– Kallum Mc Grenne fromKilrush Youthreach, Co. Clare in the Film ‘What A Drag’
  • Best Actress -  Sophia Hogan from Gateway Youth Project, Athlone, Co. Westmeath in the Film ‘The Silent Killer’
  • Best Social Media Post of the Day –To be confirmed at the Awards
  • Overall Winner in the Community Action Project Category– Cobh Youth Services for the Project ‘Cobh Smoke Free Zone’
  • Runner Up in the Community Action Project Category– Southside Community Youth Project from Drogheda, Co. Louth for the Film ‘Save Our Lungs (S.O.L) ‘