A BOLTON comprehensive school is taking a lead role in a bid to stamp out smoking among pupils.

Turton High School is educating pupils about the consequences of starting to smoke and then getting hooked.

"It is not that we feel Turton has a bigger problem with smoking than other establishments, we merely wish to ensure that our pupils understand that we will not tolerate such anti-social behaviour and understand the consequences of such a habit," said a spokesman.

Some lessons were based on the cost of smoking and others on the health and social aspects of the habit.

The school used the Roy Castle Foundation as a source of information for the week and a speaker from the trust addressed the sixth form.

Meanwhile, a massive drug awareness programme has been launched in Bury and Bolton in an effort to stop drug dealing in pubs.

A special task-force of officers is visiting licensees in the town centres offering practical advice on how to deal with the dealers. Posters, leaflets and information packages have been distributed to pubs, and drug awareness seminars and training offered to staff.

Drugs co-ordinator for Greater Manchester, Sgt Terry Kitson said: "It's all about being vigilant and raising awareness. Drugs are everywhere and the situation needs to be tackled."

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