DVD film about the honest opinion of teenagers regarding smoking.

Young film-makers have created a DVD to give an insight into what the youth of South Tyneside really believe about smoking.The film looks at how youngsters feel about smoking, where they buy cigarettes, and a range of other subjects connected to the tobacco trade.

In it, 16 to 18-year-olds from the Simonside Neets (young people not in education, employment or training) group and primary school children are interviewed. Headliner UK, a charity which inspires and encourages the personal development of young people through journalism, was commissioned to create the DVD by South Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Marietta Evans is the director of public health with South Tyneside PCT, said: "We felt there was a need for more youth consultation on tobacco. Traditionally, tobacco control, cessation policies and research have been based on the assumption that by reducing adult smoking, then children will cut back too. While this approach has proved effective in reducing smoking, it is a habit picked up by children, not adults. Up to 80 per cent of smokers start before the age of 18 and become teen smokers.

By addressing that, they hope to make even more progress towards reducing smoking in South Tyneside. Last month, the Gazette said that there were more than 200 'tab houses' in the borough – selling illegal cigarettes to children as young as eight. The council's trading standards team and partner agencies are cracking down on these houses, which are in many of the borough's residential areas.

Many of the youngsters in the DVD revealed this is one of the ways in which they obtain their cigarettes. The issue of smoking being seen as normal is also raised, and the message comes through that small children see smoking as bad and not pleasant – but this attitude can often change as they grow up.

The DVD is being used by South Tyneside PCT, through partners including the council, to raise awareness in the community and make realize the results of smoking.