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5
Physicians on Smoking and Health has brought this matter
to the forefront as one of the outstanding public health problems
of the day and some beneficial results may already be
discerned. One example of this is the agreement which has
been reached between the Independent Television Authority
and the tobacco industry to secure modifications that will
include the avoidance of those aspects of advertising which
make a special appeal to young people. The smoking habit
is so deeply ingrained as to appear almost ineradicable but,
nevertheless, the issue must be kept alive by all who are
responsible for the education and health of the younger
generation.
During the year 100 deaths were attributed to disease of
the coronary arteries and angina pectoris, this being the
largest number ever recorded in the Borough in any one
year. This disease has increased in all western countries since
World War I and, despite an enormous amount of research
into the causes of this phenomenon, very little new information
has emerged. It is likely, however, that a number of
factors associated with our modern civilisation operate together
to form a pattern of living which tends towards the
production of this disease. Overeating generally and, particularly,
a diet with a high animal fat content, sedentary habits
with lack of regular exercise, oversmoking and hereditary
factors have all been blamed, probably with good cause, but
the exact mechanism that brings about the coronary accident
remains hidden. Can there be much doubt, however, that
coronary thrombosis is part of the price we pay for the high
standard of living which we now enjoy ?
The Home Safety Act, 1961 empowers the councils of
county districts to promote home safety by giving information
and advice on the prevention of accidents in the home but
county councils have, for many years, had this power under
Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946. Since
1959, the Kent County Council have made a grant to the
Bexley, Erith and Crayford Home Safety Committee through
The councils concerned which has facilitated this work in
recent years. The new Act will enable the three authorities
to determine more fully the future development of this important
aspect of health education and the decision to appoint
a part-time Home Safety Organiser to work under the
Medical Officer of Health will, it is hoped, result in a more
sustained and effective campaign against accidents in the
nome than has been possible heretofore. A Speakers Training
Day was held on May 5th, 1961 during a fortnight of intensive
home safety propaganda, details of which are set out in
'he report.