School children in Aitape host educational event to observe 'World No Tobacco Day'.

Students and staff of St. Anna Primary School, including parents and the general public all participated in a day of activities.

The morning session started with speeches from various invited guests from the Diocese of Aitape, Raihu District Hospital and the Police Department.

Guest speakers spoke strongly on the hazards smoking causes to young lives, such as the dangerous effects on both young and old people, the different types of smoke related diseases, how to identify signs of those who have been smoking marijuana and laws relating to the use of dangerous drugs.

"The day was very educational and I'm sure the children learned many important things today," commented Gertrude Numara, a parent who had attended.

She added that as a parent, she appreciated the initiative taken by the school authority to observe the day in a special way, as the issue of smoking due to peer pressure was a problem in all schools and this kind of events help to minimize that behaviour.

The children and their teachers also prepared posters portraying important messages on the global topic, and had them hung up in the trees in the playground. They also performed songs and recited poems depicting the message of 'World No Tobacco Day'.