More schoolchildren than ever are trying cigarettes, with many getting their fix from their parents' supplies, according to new research.
The report from the Schools Health Education Unit shows trends in young people's attitudes to smoking between 1983 and 2001.
The findings reveal that 40 per cent of 12 to 13-year-old admitted they had tried cigarettes in 2001. This rose to 60 per cent among 14 to 15-year-old.
That compares to 30 per cent of 12 to 13-year-old in 1990 and 57 per cent of 14 to 15- year-old.
Twenty-two per cent of 14 to 15-year-old girls and around 6 per cent of 12 to 13-year-old girls report smoking regularly. Smoking during teenage years increases the risk of lung cancer, even if the smoker stops. Girls and women who smoke are particularly at risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis.
Of the 299,543 young people questioned, more than half lived in a home where at least one person smoked. Some of the children surveyed got their cigarettes from parents or older siblings, while others shared the cost of a packet.
Dr David Regis, research manager at the unit, says the increase in the number of children experimenting with smoking was a concern.
He says, 'This is more than just trying a cigarette. The rise in those experimenting with smoking has been matched by an increase in regular smokers as well.
'If an increase in experimentation was all that it was - it would be no problem. But some of them do go on to regular smoking and then start a habit which may go on for years and the health consequences are very serious.'
Three-quarters of young smokers want to kick the habit. This proportion has remained static over the years despite Government campaigns to discourage smoking.
If any young person wants to give up smoking, you can do this with help and support on No Smoking Day tomorrow. See www.nosmokingday.org.uk for more information.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-171375/Teen-smoking-rates-rise.html#ixzz2VOkeC27v
My Comment :
In my opinion, schoolchildren or teenager should not trying to smoke at their younger time. As we can see, the report from the Schools Health Education Unit shows trends in young people's attitudes to smoking between 1983 and 2001 are increasingly high. Hence, compare to the 30% of 12 to 13 years old are most commonly admitted that they have tried cigarettes in 2001. It gradually rising up to 60% among teens that age 14 to 15 years-old. The main factor that teen are wanted to trying to smoke because of they are smoking was a concern and the teen are getting their money from their parent fixed. Another factor is influence from friend and no surveillance from their parents. The parent should take several precautionary action to curb this problem. First, the parent should observe their kids befriending with and they have to set a as a role model to their children not smoking in front of them. Besides that, parent should control in giving the money to their children.
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