Young people being encouraged to '˜Snap the Cig' and win an iPad

The charity is running a competition for 13 to 24-year-olds to create a story on Snapchat sharing their views on smoking. Entrants are asked to focus on the dangers of smoking and the positives of being smokefree.

To be in with the chance of winning a brand new iPad all they have to do is add Cancer Focus NI on Snapchat (cancerfocusni) and send them a snap before March 31. They’ll also need to add their picture to their Snapchat story.

Young people could, for example, take a snap showing: a better way to spend the cost of a packet of cigarettes; with someone who is proud to be a quitter; or, any creative idea to show the benefits of staying smokefree

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention at Cancer Focus NI, said: “We are running this Snapchat competition, with support from the Public Health Agency, to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and the benefits of staying smokefree.

“The 13 to 24s are a priority group for our Keeping Well messages so we’d be glad of help from teachers, youth leaders, employers and young people themselves to spread the word and help promote this competition.”

Gerry added: “We know that smoking causes about a quarter of all cancers in Northern Ireland and is our greatest cause of preventable death and disease. We want to encourage young people to stay smokefree.”

All snaps entered may be used publicly for promotion of the competition. Entrants must be at least 13 years old and under 16s must have a parent/guardian’s permission to enter. For more information email [email protected] or call 9066 3281.