Health-promoting schools and the prevention of tobacco use

There is substantial evidence that the health of children and young people is a major factor in their capacity to learn. Similarly, the level of an individual’s education influences his or her health. In fact, schooling alone has been proven to be the most effective public health intervention. The school is an extraordinarily effective setting in which to improve the health of students, staff, families and members of the community. Schools offer opportunities to achieve significant health and education benefits with the limited resources available to education and health agencies.