Fizz Free February reaches biggest audience yet

1 March 2019

In just its second year, Fizz Free February has reached more people than ever before, encouraging more people to ditch the fizz and think of their health, teeth and bank accounts.

There has been great appetite for the campaign across the country, with many councils, businesses, organisations and individuals pledging to go fizz free and running the campaign in their local area. Over 25 councils across the UK have engaged with the initiative and it has been wildly popular online. Southwark Council’s Fizz Free February has reached over a million social media profiles and hashtags connected with the campaign have been used over 1000 times with these posts raking up over 14,000 likes.

This year the campaign has spread around the country thanks in part to the high profile support from Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tom Watson MP, Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock. The campaign even made its way across the Atlantic with Borough President of Staten Island James Oddo encouraging local schools to adopt the campaign.

Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health said: “Around the country the fizz free message has really taken hold and it is great to see so many other local authorities introducing the campaign in their communities. The amount of support that the campaign has received this year has been fantastic. The fact that a home-grown Southwark Council campaign has reached as far afield as Staten Island is incredible! It really goes to show the message behind Fizz Free February resonates with so many people."

Here in Southwark many local schools have taken up the fizz free challenge. Cobourg Primary School in Camberwell went fizz free for the second year running, and this year they welcomed Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Tom Watson MP and BBC Breakfast to the school at the start of February to share why they were going fizz free again.

Most of the children at Cobourg said they didn’t drink fizzy drinks regularly so found the challenge fairly easy. David in year 4 said: “I found it pretty easy because I don’t drink fizzy drinks that much, I only have a sip a day because it’s not good for my teeth”. Mariam in year 6 said: “Fizz Free February has had a good impact on Southwark and people who joined in; it’s a good thing to get involved in.” Cobourg pupils also confirmed that they would be going fizz free next year.

Another Camberwell school, Bessemer Grange, also went fizz free for the first time this year. They decided to encourage the whole school to give up fizzy drinks as part of their work to encourage healthy eating and drinking. Every teacher kept track of the days their class managed to stay fizz free and those who made it through the full 28 days without a fizzy drink, will be awarded a certificate and reward in assembly.

Lyla in year 4 said: “fizzy drinks have lots of sugar in them and sugar isn’t good for us.”Chako in year 3 agreed, “Not only do fizzy drinks have a lot of sugar they’re also quite bad for your teeth and your body and it’s good that we stay healthy and not drink fizzy drinks”.

The canteen at Notre Dame RC Secondary Girls' School, only sold water, milk and fruit drinks in February. Year 9 pupil Chigozie managed to stay fizz free for the entire month, she found the challenge: “a little hard at first because I had a lot of temptation at home with a lot of fizzy drinks but after I went fizz free for one day I knew I could continue for the month. I’ll cut down on fizzy drinks in the future.”

Aaliyah also in year nine completed the fizz free challenge, she says Fizz Free February: “made us think about what we eat and drink more. Personally I didn’t drink fizzy drinks a lot because I’m not allowed but it did make me think.”

Sam Tyson-Banks, the school’s lead for health and wellbeing, said: “We thought it was really important that we incorporate Fizz Free February into what we do. The students have said that they don’t feel as tired [since cutting out fizzy drinks] and they are more conscious of the sugar content in other drinks. We’ve also been looking at natural sugar versus added sugar as well. More awareness about what they are putting inside their bodies is really important.”

Cllr Akoto added: “Closer to home, it is wonderful to see the impact that the campaign has had on school children and residents in our borough. Of course, our work to tackle obesity goes far beyond the 28 days of February and we are delivering programmes that are making real changes to the health of our residents. Well done to everyone who lasted the month and I hope that the challenge has helped you think about what you eat and drink.”

Page last updated: 01 March 2019