The Edsons were introduced on the campus grounds, and an animated three-part video series was shown for the first time by VWS State Secretary Paul Blokhuis and comedian, presenter and former vocational education teacher Edson da Graça.
Edson then spoke with branch director Harrie Bemelmans, caretakers Daniel Nijland and Hassan el Moussaoi about the approach and experiences involved in making Nova College smoke-free. Not only the successes, but also the pitfalls and mistakes were discussed. Media students David Mulder and Beau van Aanholt, who developed campaign posters for the school, shared their views on the campaign for a smoke-free school.
All locations managed by Nova College are now smoke-free. Project leader Rosa Wassink, vitality adviser and occupational health and safety coordinator, offers the following tips for other schools: “Just get started, start the conversation and persevere. Be clear about what it is about: a smoke-free school because we consider a healthy lifestyle important. It is not about quitting smoking; that is something else.”
The Edsons
The Edsons characters consist of enterprising Edson, student Lisa, sports teacher Gino, education director Denise, expert Farida and caretaker Cor. Through videos, tips and a fact sheet, educational institutions are encouraged to make their own grounds smoke-free. From primary schools to universities of applied sciences, and from vocational education to universities. For more information and the animated films featuring The Edsons, visit: rookvrijschoolterrein.nl.
The Edsons are supported in part by the Trimbos Institute, the Healthy School advisers, GGD GHOR Netherlands and Health Funds for a Smoke-Free Netherlands. Since 1 August 2020, all educational premises have been required to be smoke-free; as of 1 January, enforcement will be carried out by the NVWA.
In the photo: from left to right, Harrie Bremelmans, Paul Blokhuis and Edson da Graça.