CHILDREN aged 10 to 13 are being targeted in a new campaign to stop them becoming tomorrow's smokers.

It will start in government and private schools in September and is being run by Bahrain's Anti-Smoking Society.

Teachers will be briefed on how to get the no-smoking message across to children and the campaign will be carried out over six sessions during the school year.

Children will be taught about the harmful effects of smoking, especially amongst those who start young.

Activities including quizzes, drawing and class competitions will help get the message across.

One in every four boys at secondary school smokes, compared to one in every five a few years ago, according to recent figures from the society.

This is despite it being illegal for anyone aged under 18 to buy cigarettes in Bahrain, or for shops to sell them to such youngsters, says the society's newly-appointed president Dr Kadhem Al Hawaji.

"There is an age restriction for people to buy cigarettes in Bahrain, but then there is also a red-light traffic rule and drivers still jump red lights," he said.

The society deals with a lot of children brought in by parents, after being caught smoking.

The number of cases increases in summer when children are out of school and their parents get to see what they are doing.

"There are a lot of children aged 14 to 17 brought into our (anti-smoking) clinics during the summer," said Dr Al Hawaji.

He replaces Dr Mariam Al Jalahma after the society's board elections.

The new board comprises deputy president Dr Maha Al Muklah, secretary-general Prof Majdi Yaseen, treasurer Dr Abdulla Mansoor, deputy treasurer Mohammed Al Saghir and board members Dr Sonya Mohammed, Dr Fatima Al Jurdabi, Mohammed Abdul Nabi and Abd Al Hameed Al Sahidi.

New campaigns are also in the pipeline, but are awaiting approval from the Social Development Ministry, said Dr Al Hawaji.

"We have also come up with an idea called Campaign for All, where if you want to stop smoking you can win free anti-smoking treatment. But we are waiting for the ministry's approval," he said.

"We will also need the go-ahead from the Health Ministry, to supply us with the medical requirements."

The society is currently running the 'Women Say No to Smoking' campaign under the patronage of the Supreme Women's Council, with the support of the Social Development, Health and Education ministries. It will run for a year, targeting 290,000 women and girls in Bahrain aged 15 and over.