KEY POINTS:
"Not a year goes by without a case or cases of students caught smoking on campus or in uniform. Through this tournament we hope to get the message across that smoking is a bad habit, and if you are a smoker we advise you to quit, and if you are not we encourage you not to start."
This is the message that according to Petaia Tuaniu Falefata, Principal of Leifiifi College is what they are hoping to convey and deliver to students at one of the biggest inter school rugby tournament's Smokefree which kicked off on Monday.
This is the 12th year of the tournament and over the years it has attracted schools and players from both Upolu and Savaii.
However this is not limited to students only the Smokefree spirit is also spread to officials involved in organising the tournament who are not permitted to smoke within the area where the games are being held.
Tuaniu says: "We will be informing the students during the 3 day tournament of health related issues involved with smoking and any other illegal drug substances for that matter."
He says the tournament is part of education, as students learn that smoking is not only bad for the players but every other student as well.
Tuaniu also adds that Secondary Schools/Colleges are taking cases of smoking found in schools very seriously now. The punishment according to Tuaniu is usually expulsion right away.
When asked whether the number of students caught smoking has decreased. He was quick to say: "yes compared to previous years we have noticed a big change, now cases of smoking are not found as often as before. I believe that this tournament had a positive role to play in that change, as players and students alike realize the negative effects of smoking to the human body."
Laaunafausia Iosefo Captain for Avele College 1st XV, also stated that this tournament is a good way of delivering the Quit smoking message across.
"I believe that everyone is feeling the spirit of the event and that is that smoking is not good for your health."
As a player he believes that smoking can ruin a teams performance and when asked whether he or his teammates smoked.
He was glad to say no and judging from their thrashing victory over Vaipouli on Monday we find no reason to protest.
- NEWSLINE SAMOA
