Talking cigar pack earns Dubai teen global award

Achilles Ash.

At an age when teenagers get attracted to cigarettes, here's a boy who made a difference through his anti-smoking campaigns. While working to bring about a change in society, an international award came his way.
Achilles Ash, a Grade 10 student of The International School Of Choueifat, Dubai, has won the International Diana Award in the Diana Active Campaigner Category recently.
The award, set up in memory of late British Princess Diana, intends to honour young people who have the power to change the world for the better.
Achilles has invested a huge amount of energy to improve the lives of others through his anti-smoking campaigns and recycling campaigns over the past three years. In 2014, with an urge to deter smokers, Achilles invented a talking cigarette packet, similar to the musical birthday cards.
When the cigar pack is opened, a red light shines to warn the smoker, plus a recorded message starts. Achilles felt the statutory warnings are not read by smokers, but recorded messages are a sure way of getting the message through. He pointed out how smoking even destroys the environment. He has created an open group on Facebook named 'Ash Anti-smokers hangout', where he posts pictures and posters depicting the hazards of smoking, trying to deter smokers.
Being an active member of the Emirates Environment Group, Achilles also conducts recycling campaigns in his community.
Maurice Doreleijers, founder of Dorrel Sports, who nominated Achilles for the award said: "We are delighted that Achilles has received the International Diana Award. He is a wonderful role model and this award and his positive actions and commitment are making a difference to the world and the lives of others."
Tessy Ojo, CEO of the Diana Award, said: "We are delighted that the dedication of Achilles Ash can be celebrated with a Diana Award. With a growing network of over 44,000 award holders, we are building a force of young people who are committed to take social action and improve their communities all over the world."
Achilles is also the recipient of two prestigious national level awards in UAE - The Hamdan Award for Distinguished Academic Performance for the year 2012-2013 and the Sharjah Award for Excellence in Education 2013-2014 for his academic and co-curricular achievements including his innovative talking cigarette packet.
Since 1999, the Diana Award has recognised over 44,000 young people who have made a positive difference to the lives of others and their communities. By shining the spotlight on these young people it establishes them as role models to other young people.
The covetous award has been presented to young people from countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com