Following on from World No Tobacco Day on Tuesday, Fondation Cancer has announced the results of its "Mission Nichtrauchen" competition aiming to prevent students from lighting their first cigarettes.

For the school year 2015/16, 2,095 students from 106 classes in Luxembourg took part, whilst 79 classes persevered and remained smoke-free for six months. The results were celebrated with a closing party held by the Fondation Cancer on Place d'Armes in Luxembourg City. A prize draw was held to reward three winning classes.

The Fondation Cancer has been organising the "Mission Nichtrauchen" for 12-16 year olds for 17 years now, translating to a total of 49,035 students in 2,423 who have participated and contributed to preventing smoking among secondary schoolers.

The rules are simply, with a class who has decided to participate committing themselves by contract not to smoke for half a year, which is monitored by their teacher. Each week, students state whether they smoke or not. If more than 10% of students smoke, the class is disqualified.

"For us, the prevention of smoking among young people is essential," commented Lucinne Thommes, doctor and director at the Fondation Cancer. "Let us not forget that one in three cancers is due to smoking. This competition allows us to educate youth about the dangers of tobacco and the risks to their health. And make them understand that smoking is not worth the candle."

The closing celebration featured a rally in cooperation with the "Service des Sports-Sport pout tous" of the City of Luxembourg, consisting of various sports stands and a quiz on the topic of smoking. Luxembourgish strongman Georges Christen was on hand to perform a "powershow" whilst the City Sports Service offered a "Fitness-Fiesta".

The prize draw was moderated by Eldoradio presenter, Andy Pawlikowski, with the first prize of an afternoon in a climbing park going to 7ST5 Lycée Technique Privé Emile Metz (Luxembourg City) with teacher Alain Kayser. Class 8STP1 of the lycée Josy Barthel Mamer and teacher Nadine Kneip won the second prize of a cooking workshop; whilst the third prize of a dance class was scooped up by class 7ST1 of the Lycée Technique Michel Lucius in Luxembourg City and teacher Lynn Welter-Stahl.

Photos by Fondation Cancer