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discussions were arranged; helped by periodic visits from
doctors, sportsmen, physical educationists, beauty
culturists and others A lapel badge designed in
collaboration with the committee was made available by
Family Doctor'. It is free but the society members (who
now number 700 in the school of 1,700 pupils) decided to
pay threepence each for it The token design, a red
kidney shaped object with a black dot within, symbolic of
a cancer cell, invites the question 'What badge are you
wearing'?
Publicity, limited at first, is now bringing enquiries
from other schools at home and abroad, and societies
on comparable lines are being formed.
This venture has been most successful in the lower
forms, where nearly everyone has joined after agreeing to
the only rule, which is a promise not to smoke until the
age of 21. (Although open to some objection, this form
of words, decided only the children, was not questioned).
As yet there are fewer members among the more dedicated
smokers in the top forms, but this will alter, it is
hoped, as time goes on. It is not being forgotten that
the critical age, when the casual smoker becomes 'a
regular' is at 16.
The Junior League of Non-Smokers
The movement has such great potential that it was
decided to establish a junior league of non-smokers on a
national basis. This was inaugurated at the exhibition
for schoolboys and schoolgirls held at Olympia in
January, 1963, in the presence of Lord Newton, Parliamentary
Secretary, Ministry of Health and representatives of
the health and education services. The Camberwell school
committee answered questions from a large audience of
school-children, enthusiastic and avid for information.
One national daily noted this event, but several provincial
papers reported it; many enquiries about the league
have resulted.
Conclusion
There are certain broad conclusions to be drawn.
(a) Urgent and more intensive action is necessary, at
national and local levels, if this pandemic of cigarette