Cigarettes kill 7 times more than roads major effort urged to stop child smokers

An all-out campaign to prevent children getting the deadly smoking habit is called for today.

It is made by the August ‘Which?’ published by the Consumers’ Association, as one of the conclusions of a major report into the dangers of smoking and the various ways in which people may be persuaded to give it up.

‘Which?’ points out that there are at least seven times as many premature deaths caused by smoking as by road accidents in this country, and that more than one in ten of all cigarette smokers will contract lung cancer, bronchitis or coronary heart disease.

“The evidence is now inescapable,” says the report. “Smoking is a serious danger to health.”

“Children, in particular, must be persuaded by all possible means not to start smoking, and smokers who are worried about their smoking should make every effort to give up, and should receive all the help and encouragement they need.”

‘Which?’ calls for stronger measures to discourage smoking, including putting up the price of cigarettes. It says that in real terms, cigarettes in Britain have been getting cheaper – they are now about 20 per cent less than in the 1960s.

It says that taxation should also be used to penalize middle tar as well as high tar cigarettes and that there should be stricter control over tobacco advertisements, including the banning of cash tokens.

It also wants further restrictions on smoking in public places, including hospitals, cinemas and on public transport where smoking areas are not completely separate.

The report points out that not only smokers are in danger from inhaling tobacco fumes. Recent research suggests that non-smokers who have been living or working among smokers for over 20 years have poorer lung performance than non-smokers who are not usually exposed to cigarette smoke.

‘Which?’ says that, for children, the message about smoking dangers may be got over most effectively as part of the normal school curriculum, in biology, say, rather than in special campaigns.

The magazine examined the various aids to giving up smoking, including smoking withdrawal clinics, anti-smoking products and acupuncture. It concludes that “nothing replaces the need for will-power and determination.”

By Peter Avis

1. What are the dangers of smoking?

2. What measures can be taken to discourage smoking?

3. How can people be persuaded to give it up?

4. How can children be prevented from getting the smoking habit?

5. Are second-hand smokers in danger?

Let’s talk

Trudy’s children, aged seven and nine, were caught smoking. Her husband wants to make them smoke a packet at once, but Trudy doesn’t think it will teach them the dangers of smoking.

Trudy, many parents have experienced the same problem with curious young children. They offer the following advice as possible ways to handle the situation.

… I am a non-smoker and my husband is a smoker.

When out two children were about the same age as your children they were caught smoking with friends. What I did was give them one whole cigarette to smoke, and made them inhale harder than one would normally. This made them quite ill and though they wanted to stop, I made them finish their smoke under my supervision.

But that’s not all. During the next few days I acquired every photo I could of smoke-damaged lungs, tastebuds and fingers. I also collected literature of related diseases. But one side won’t work without the other, as their curiosities will take over. It worked for me, and I hope it does for you.

L.M., V. ($100)

… I have four children and they have all had a little go at smoking.

My husband and I both smoke, but we don’t encourage our children to smoke. We try to explain to them the bad things that smoking can do to their bodies and we are both sorry we ever took it up.

I don’t think your husband is doing the right thing by giving them a packet of cigarettes and telling them to smoke the lot. It would be better to explain to your children what smoking can do to them.

It might be a good idea if you could get a video on smoking and let the children watch it.

P.H., NSW. ($25)

… I, too, caught my boys smoking at an early age.

Each one was told sternly that they would not be given their weekly pocket-money if they used it on cigarettes.

I sat each boy down and asked him to promise not to try smokes again until he had left school and was earning his own money. Now that they have all grown up, only one lad began to smoke at high school, and the other two never started at all and are now 18 and 20.

A.M.E., NZ. ($25)

…Most children and teenagers will be caught smoking secretly at least once in their lives.

They see so many adults smoking, seemingly with enjoyment, and curiousity takes over. How we react to the ‘crime’ is all-important. Forcing the child to smoke a whole pack, or a cigar, and become ill, will not have any long-term effects. Discussing the health dangers and the high cost, in a calm manner, plus giving the reasons why you choose not to smoke, will have more impact over time.

Speak to the teachers and principal at your school about plans they may have for anti-smoking, anti-drug lessons. Most education departments have resources such as videos and drug awareness kits. It is human nature that when we are told not to do something, we are tempted to do it. Show your children from an early age that it takes tremendous courage not to use drugs in any form, but don’t make too great an issue out of an example of childish curiosity.

M.S.M., SA. ($25)