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smoking with its undeniable ill effects on the health of
the Country is to be stemmed
(b) The intricate task of changing public attitudes
towards smoking calls for better planned and co ordinated
efforts by outside bodies in support of the pressure
being exercised by the medical services
(c) The material aid which the personal and environ
mental health services have provided increasingly in the
prevention of disease and the promotion of health are
too often taken as an excuse for a disregard of personal
responsibility and physical morality The smoker like
the alcoholic and others with behaviour problems, cannot
rely on inoculation sanitation chlorination or spraying
wi th D.D.T to come to his aid neither will he find
treatment of much avail in the absence of will power and
a sensible attitude of mind.
(d) For these reasons, propaganda directed at adults
must emphasise that although the maximum help and guidance
is at their disposal the outcome is in their own
hands At the same time parents and teachers, youth
leaders and the clergy must be reminded forcibly that
whatever their personal attitudes and failings, they have
vital responsibilities to the rising generation which
must be fulfilled by example and precept.
(e) The school is well adapted for propaganda and
positive action. Lines of approach need close scrutiny
with the object of stimulating children to think for
themselves and conduct their own campaigns.
(f) Funds available for all aspects of health educa
tion are most inadequate. Anti smoking propaganda is
being curtailed and it is unable to off set cigarette
advertising especially on television, by expertly devised
publicity.
(g) More information is required as to the extent to
which the law against selling cigarettes to under-age
children is being broken There should be heavier
penalties and the minimum age may well be raised.
(h) Here, and in America many other legislative procedures
have been advocated, some of which may reach the
Statute Book The tobacco manufacturers are searching
lor the noxious elements in cigarette smoke with a view
to their removal but this is a distant possibility, the
worth of which some will doubt But none will dispute
that ii cannot be abstinence, moderation is the
next best thing.