CoEHAR and LIAF in schools

Our Mission

CoEHAR considers it its responsibility to disseminate scientific information on the health risks linked to smoking.

The objective is to prevent the spread of this addiction among new generations.

International surveys reveal that more than 10% of adolescents between 13 and 15 years old are smokers of conventional cigarettes.

CoEHAR is committed to informing adolescents about the risks to young people of both conventional cigarette smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes, especially for minors. The idea behind our actions is that by reaching out to students in schools, their families, and supporting a smoke-free culture, we can decrease the number of future smokers and help create a real smoke-free generation.

The shared Mission of CoEHAR, which has been collaborating for years on the national territory with volunteers from the Italian Anti-Smoking League, is:

Discouraging young people from approaching smoking in the initial phase, which mainly occurs at school
Supporting an anti-smoking culture among families and teachers
Disseminating the results of scientific research to find innovative solutions
Encouraging young people to become promoters of healthy lifestyles

In recent years LIAF e CoEHAR have been engaged in schools in the Sicily Region, involving students and teachers in initiatives and projects, even outside of school contexts, promoting awareness campaigns and organizing dozens of meetings that have involved more than 15,000 students.

The most important initiatives

First Kicks Against Smoking

“Primi calci al fumo” (First Kicks Against Smoking), winner of the Uliveto Prize for Sports Medicine. The project combined awareness activities and scientific research, addressing the importance of sport and prevention. In addition to recreational activities, participants took part in a scientific questionnaire, also with the support of the cognitive tools of the Alcohol and Smoking Observatory of the Ministry of Health.

Switch on the beach

“Switch on the beach”, organized by LIAF in collaboration with CPCT – Center for Prevention and Treatment of Smoking at Polyclinic of Catania and CUS Catania – University Sports Center. An event dedicated to health promotion and reducing harm from smoking that involved students and researchers from the university and professionals from the marine world, divers, biologists and geologists who accompanied smokers and former smokers on an educational journey exploring the seabeds of the Catania coast.

Research Pills

“Pillole di ricerca” (Research Pills) a virtual meeting conducted by the founder of CoEHAR, Riccardo Polosa, with students from the Higher School of Catania to introduce students to an anti-smoking culture and inspire their passion for the world of scientific research.

A Mural Against Smoking

“Un murales contro il fumo” (A Mural Against Smoking) a contest among students from schools in Catania to create a visual poster in order to translate a healthy anti-smoking culture into creative language.

LIAF in Schools

“LIAF in Schools” is an anti-smoking culture promotion project that involves an annual calendar of educational meetings, carried out in collaboration with Sicilian schools. During these meetings, LIAF volunteers and CoEHAR experts together illustrate to the students the real damages caused by conventional cigarette smoking and the negative consequences on their entire life and health. The meetings last four hours and include sessions with interventions from doctors, psychologists, institutions, and communication professionals.