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SENSATION: 49 classes in the Göppingen district MASTER the non-smoking competition!
In the Göppingen district, 49 school classes successfully competed in the non-smoking competition “Be smart – don’t start”.
SENSATION: 49 classes in the Göppingen district MASTER the non-smoking competition!
In an adventurous race against addiction and for a smoke-free life, an incredible 49 school classes from the Göppingen district recorded a sensational success: They steadfastly resisted smoking for six months! From Filstal Express reports that this shocking non-smoking competition, “Be smart – don’t start”, started on November 11th, 2024 and lasted until April 25th, 2025.
All participating classes from levels 5 to 10 persevered and demonstrated resilience in a both shocking and inspiring competition against the drug cigarettes. The testing of their non-smoking status was carried out rigorously by the didactic heroes, the teachers. A big thank you goes to the Göppingen district office, which actively supported these tireless fighters in the name of health.
The reward for heroism
What an abundance of rewards awaited the winning classes! The prizes are simply breathtaking: book vouchers, money for the class fund, vouchers for the climbing hall and even lectures about “Democracy” or “Europe”! These prizes are more than just an incentive; they are a thank you to the classes who did not give in to addiction!
The sponsors of this heroic campaign are all regional heroes: TheVolksbank Göppingen,Göppingen District Savings Bank,Göppingen Adult Education Centerand many more! These institutions are at the forefront of the fight against tobacco use and actively promote youth health.
An anniversary of HISTORICAL proportions
But that’s not all: the “Be smart – don’t start” program recently celebrated its 25th anniversary! Since its launch, it has motivated an incredible 4.5 million students to quit smoking. The Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert highlights this positive trend as groundbreaking!
Alarming statistics show that smoking is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, and it's more than just a health risk - it's a crisis that requires immediate action. Thanks to the competition and the support of institutions such as the German Cancer Aid, which has provided around 2.5 million euros in funding since 2003, we can look back on the lowest proportion of smokers among 12 to 17 year olds in Germany!
A call to action!
The conclusion of this apparently most successful campaign? A powerful appeal: Tobacco prevention MUST begin in childhood! The GKV alliance calls on teachers and school social workers to act as role models for young people and to continually discuss smoking in class. Behavioral prevention is essential to combat the incessant pressures of societal norms and expectations.
Students are now asked to continue taking on this challenge and actively fight against tobacco consumption!The next rounds begin in November 2025 – be there!