Barnsley Council takes strides in shifting attitudes towards smoking and vaping across Barnsley Schools using live theatre shows

Our Public Health and Communities team recently teamed up with award-winning theatre company, Performance in Education, who were commissioned to deliver a live, interactive performance called ‘Hooked’, to highlight important messages around smoking and vaping to young people across Barnsley Secondary schools. 

The hard-hitting performance and follow-up workshops were delivered to eight secondary schools across Barnsley, providing invaluable and memorable messages to over 1,580 young people, aged 11 to 14 years. The show provided the students with an engaging and inspiring learning experience, with the aim to change behaviours and attitudes towards products containing nicotine, vaping and the risks around vapes containing illicit substances. 

The performance shared important messages around peer pressure and real-life practical ways to challenge and resist it. Crucially, the performances resonated with our young people, addressing the significant pressures and demands young people face today. An important aim of the sessions was to address health challenges and how it can affect day-to-day life, as well as shifting misconceptions or beliefs around the impact of nicotine and vaping on health and wellbeing. 

Feedback received from teachers and students was unanimously positive, with the young people clearly taking on board the key messages. Following the session, there was a very positive shift in opinions and understanding amongst the students, including the realisation of just how harmful and addictive vapes and cigarettes are.    

Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities and Chair of the Barnsley Tobacco Control Alliance, said: “We’re committed to making smoking invisible in Barnsley. Taking positive action to reduce the uptake of products containing nicotine and vapes amongst our young people, whilst increasing attempts to give up, is a key priority in our drive to inspire a smoke free generation.  

“I am delighted to hear how well the ‘Hooked’ performances have been received by our young people and the positive impact it has had on their understanding about smoking and vaping. Reaching the young people through ‘Theatre in Education’ is an innovative and engaging way to provide young people with the knowledge and information they need to make their own informed choices, shift their beliefs and challenge peer pressure.   

“The performance was very current, highlighting the potential dangers and links to crime of illicit, counterfeit or illegal nicotine products, as well as addressing the way vapes are marketed to target and entice young people.”