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Health education
The department's health education activities in 1964 were directed mainly in four fields,
three regarded as of growing importance with dental health of continuing importance.
Smoking and health—The health education mobile unit continued its work of visiting
schools, youth clubs and other groups.

Many of the establishments were visited a number of times and a total of 262 lectures
was given by the health educator, aided by films, film strips and other material to some
32,300 persons. Because of the demand for the services of the unit and the need for
follow-up visits, the provision of a second unit was authorised.
At various times during the school holidays film shows on health education topics have
been held for staff at County Hall. In all, there were 91 showings to a total audience of
2,874. In the summer school holidays a van was adapted for the rear projection of films
on the smoking theme and appeared in 18 of the Council's parks. This was very successful
and attracted a total of 9,450 children and young adults. No doubt the exceptionally sunny
weather contributed to the success. Two leaflets were produced within the department
with the assistance of the Chief Officer of Supplies. One stresses the need for adults who
have constant contact with children to set a good example by not smoking; this has been
made available to head teachers of all the Council's schools and to youth club leaders in
London. The other emphasises the statistical evidence for an association between smoking
and chest disease and this has been distributed to older school children, to members of
youth clubs and other young persons.
While the smoking advisory sessions held in three of the divisions continued to operate,
attendances were not maintained at the initial levels.
Venereal disease—Leaflets and posters were produced by the department with the aim
of persuading young people who had taken risks to seek proper advice and, as necessary,
treatment. This material was offered to every London youth club leader, to London general
practitioners, to principals of colleges of further education and to medical officers of
health of the metropolitan borough councils for distribution by them; the response has been
encouraging. A special direct telephone line was made available at County Hall to permit
those worried about their possible condition to seek advice as to where to obtain treatment
this facility was publicised in the leaflet. In addition, descriptive leaflets of the venereal
diseases issued by the Central Council for Health Education were distributed to head
teachers and to youth club leaders to assist them and their staffs in answering questions on
the subject.
Dangers from oil heaters—An intensive campaign was launched in the autumn to
encourage awareness of the dangers from:
(i) Unguarded oil and other heaters, particularly when young children or the elderly
are present;
(ii) Improperly maintained oil heaters, and
(iii) Oil heaters which do not conform to British Standard 3300.
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