Brazen, young smokers

Sunday May 18, 2008
Brazen, young smokers
I REMEMBER my secondary school days when the headmaster or discipline teacher would mete out punishment to those caught smoking.

Their modus operandi was to patrol all “teh tarik” stalls near the school, to see if any of us were smoking.

Today, the government is doing its best to discourage people from smoking by imposing duties on cigarettes and tobacco.

As a reminder to the people, public message boards are prominently displayed in shops and restaurants forbidding the sale of cigarettes to minors.

With such reminders, one would assume that our youngsters would not pick up the habit. Sadly this is not so.

I attended a recent PTA meeting where the school principal was unable to take disciplinary action against students who smoked, if they were outside the school compound.

Students know this, and they deliberately choose to smoke outside the school gate.

In fact, they even invite their schoolmates to join them, knowing that they cannot be reprimanded.

I would like feedback from anyone, including the relevant government agencies and departments, on how best the school authorities can tackle this growing menace.

CONCERNED Via e-mail