19,600 Abu Dhabi students create peer-led content to raise awareness on tobacco, nicotine risks

More than 19,600 students across Abu Dhabi have taken part in a youth-led initiative encouraging awareness about the risks associated with tobacco and nicotine products.

The “Youth Voices for a Tobacco-Free Future” initiative involved students from 96 schools, who created 346 pieces of content including short videos, podcasts, digital designs and social media posts.

The initiative, organised by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), placed students at the centre of the awareness campaign, allowing them to develop and communicate health messages in ways they felt would resonate with their peers.

Students lead tobacco awareness campaign

Rather than relying solely on traditional health-awareness messaging, the programme encouraged students to create their own content based on their understanding of the health risks linked to tobacco and nicotine use.

Mohammed Asaad Fathi Alnahhhal from Ibn Sina School said participating in the initiative helped him understand the harmful effects of smoking and the importance of making healthy choices from a young age.

Abdulrhman Faisal Saleh Ahmed, a student at Al Falah Private Academy, said creating content helped participants communicate the risks of tobacco and nicotine to their peers and encourage healthier choices.

The initiative reflects an approach in which young people participate directly in shaping health communication, rather than simply receiving awareness messages from authorities.

Focus on peer influence

Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health at ADPHC, said peer influence can play an important role in adolescent health behaviour.

She said the campaign enabled students to create and share their own messages about tobacco and nicotine risks, helping make health information more relevant to their peers.

The initiative also included a recognition ceremony for student contributions. Entries were assessed based on creativity, strength of message, and their potential peer impact and reach.

Winning entries are set to be shared with the wider community through ADPHC's official media and social media channels.

Youth-led approach to prevention

The programme forms part of wider preventive efforts to reduce tobacco and nicotine product use by engaging communities and encouraging young people to participate in health promotion.

The initiative highlights the use of peer-driven communication as a way of delivering health information through messages created by members of the target audience themselves.