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schools will form similar societies and accept badges
for their members. Every effort is being made to prevent
enthusiasm from waning.
Anti-Smoking Centre
In collaboration with Maudsley Hospital the Medical
Officer of Health arranged for an anti-Smoking Centre to
be set up in the Public Health Department, The sessions
which commenced on 21st November 1962, were held at
lunch-time and after 5 p.m. on Wednesday of each week.
Individual counselling and treatment were given by a
psychiatrist following the completion of a personality
assessment questionnaire. Each person was asked to attend
weekly for four weeks, and this was followed up by a
monthly postal enquiry for three months. All applicants
were required to provide a note from their own doctor
consenting to their attendance.
Following a broadcast on the B.B.C. programme 'Woman's
Hour' in which the Medical Officer of Health, the
Psychiatrist, the Vicar of Camberwell and two persons
attending the 'Clinic' took part, a large number of
applications for treatment were received, and continue
to be received from a wide area.
In due course, an analysis will be made of the
results, but an interim assessment of 30 persons, who had
completed the course revealed the following information.
No. who had ceased to smoke : 14 (46.7%)
No. who had reduced their cigarette
consumption by more than half 5 (16.7%)
No. who had reduced by less than half 2 (6.6%)
No. who had failed to stop or reduce smoking 9 (30.0%)
These figures were very encouraging and it is hoped
that a later more comprehensive analysis will prove the
experiment to be well worthwhile.
The Council have since assumed responsibility for
this project as part of their health education activities.
Recently, arrangements have been made for group therapy
courses to be conducted bya general practitioner who has
volunteered his services for this purpose. The response
from the public for appointments continues and there is
still a long waiting list for appointments.