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In connection with remedial or preventive measures suggested,
success with school children is hampered by the fact that from the
age of 9 or 10 years many youngsters are determined to "ape"
their elders and demonstrate their maturity by smoking, not only
with parents' consent but often with their active co-operation. The
herd instinct also appears to be a big factor linking school children
with smoking, and advertisements specifically slanted to influence
the young militate against efforts to secure abandonment of the
habit. At this point it is pertinent to record that recent education
campaigns among adults in Edinburgh and school children in
Hertfordshire failed, although this failure could conceivably be
due to inappropriate methods.
Some amendment to the Children and Young Persons Act.
1933, is necessary for stricter control over the sale of cigarettes
to children under 16 years.
Experience has shown that higher tobacco taxation, although
resented, will eventually be paid by the true addict.
Some authorities feel that shock tactics will bring the desired
results and others that a more subtle psychological approach will
prevail. Perhaps the answer lies in the establishment locally of
organisations similar to that highly successful one instituted by the
Manchester Committee on Cancer which is staffed on a permanent
basis by medical personnel specifically trained in cancer, experienced
in health education, and having a flair for lecturing and writing.
Ridicule of smoking as a social attribute seems to be a practical
approach not so far officially recognised but possibly worthy of
exploitation.
From observations it seems clear that repetition merely promotes
monotony, a risk which must be avoided at all costs in
educating the public and in this respect abstinence is more likely
to be achieved by inspiring conviction rather than invoking fear.
Vascular Lesions of Nervous System.—This class, which
includes deaths arising from Cerebral Haemorrhage, Embolism and
Thrombosis was responsible for a total of 90 deaths (46 males, 44
females). The age distribution was as follows:—1 between 15 and
25 years, 1 between 25 and 45 years; 17 between 45 and 65 years:
27 between 65 and 75 years and 44 from 75 years upwards.
This year's total of 90 indicates a fall of 26 from that for 1960.
Heart Disease.—Under the new classification this disease has
been divided into three sub-headings: (a) Coronary Disease,
Angina, (b) Hypertension with Heart Disease, and (c) Other Heart
Disease.