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All aboard the Smokefree Bus

11th March 2010

Students from City and Islington College hopped onboard the NHS Islington Smokefree bus yesterday, as it made its way around Islington promoting National No Smoking Day.

The open top bus stopped outside several locations throughout the day, including Angel Tube Station, The Nags Head Shopping Centre on Holloway Road, The City and Islington College campus on Camden Road and the Whittington Hospital.

Both City and Islington College students and NHS Islington staff made up the passenger numbers on the bus as they handed out leaflets to members of the public and offered free CO2 tests. One student even wore a huge cigarette costume.

When the bus arrived at The City and Islington College’s campus on Camden Road, students flocked to the bus to speak to the NHS Islington staff and try out the CO2 tester kits.

There was even a camera person from South Korean television network KBS, who were covering the event.

Steve Jamieson from NHS Islington said the day had been a big success. He said: “The students have been brilliant; getting everyone involved, dressing up, blowing horns and being really active.

“This is the third year on the bounce that we have done this with City and Islington College students and we are always impressed with their enthusiasm.

“The students were particularly interested in our CO2 tester kits and how CO2 can be stored in our body.

“Many of the students who smoke have told us today that they plan to cut down on their smoking thanks to the advice we have offered them and I think that’s a really great thing.”

Steven Kern, Student Union Coordinator for City and Islington College, said: “It has been a great day for the students and I am proud of all of the effort they have put into helping NHS Islington out today. Many of the students also set up no smoking stalls in our centres today where they have been offering free materials to the other students on how to give up smoking.”