All students can take part, from practical education through to pre-university education (VWO). The Smokefree Challenge aims to maintain the non-smoking norm for as long as possible. In doing so, the Smokefree Challenge focuses on the benefits of not smoking. This means that classes in which no one smokes can also take part!
The Smokefree Challenge has existed in its current form since the 2016–2017 school year. That school year was a pilot year in which 31 schools from 4 pilot regions competed for the main prize: a day out with the entire class at Walibi. Citaverde College from Horst in Limburg won the prize by making the most entertaining video about the benefits of not smoking.
In the 2017–2018 school year, 58 schools from across the country took part, with a total of 178 classes. That year, two schools went to Walibi: Clusius College in Purmerend and RSG Simon Vestdijk in Harlingen. These students also made a video about the benefits of not smoking.
In the 2018–2019 school year, 54 schools took part, with 243 classes. This year's creative assignment was to make a poster about the benefits of not smoking. Last school year's winner was Praktijkschool De Maat in Ommen. They enjoyed a fun day with their class at the Efteling theme park.
On 1 November, the Smokefree Challenge for the 2019–2020 school year will kick off. As registration has not yet fully closed, it is not yet known how many schools and classes will take part this year. But it promises to be another exciting competition! This year, several prizes are up for grabs and the creative assignment is open-ended: students may choose their own format (a rap, song lyrics, a poster, a vlog, etc.), as long as the focus is on the benefits of not smoking!
Opening photo: The launch of the Smokefree Challenge for the 2018–2019 school year in the presence of State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport Paul Blokhuis.