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women died fron lung cancer, an increase of 238 or 8.2 per cent. This
higher rate suggests that the death rate of women from cancer of the lung
is accelerating. Amongst them the rate per million living has increased
from the figure of 49 in 1940 to 132 in 1960.
All investigations on the subject point to there being some association
between the incidence of this disease and smoking. The experience of
Jersey is of interest. This island records the highest male lung cancer
death rate in the world, as well as an exceptionally high rate for women.
It is claimed that more tobacco is consumed per head of population in
Jersey than anywhere else in the world. There is no air pollution in
Jersey (air pollution is considered to be a factor in the incidence of this
disease in this country and may account for 20 per cent of the deaths).
No cases of lung cancer were recorded in a non-smoker in the years 1957
to 1959. These findings amongst the population of this island give further
pointers to the association between smoking of cigarettes and cancer of
the lung.
Experimentally, the case against cigarettes is not strong. All epidemiological
studies though point to the fact that if no cigarettes were
smoked, the incidence of bronchial cancer would be only about one-eighth
what it is today. These facts are well known, but this knowledge does not
seem to affect the amount of smoking.
Some feel that to bring about any reduction in the amount of smoking
it is necessary to deal with children. Amongst them today cigarette
smoking is appallingly common. If they could be persuaded only to
delay starting to smoke, this would perhaps lead to some not taking it up
at all and to others smoking less heavily. The question of smoking and
school children was considered by the Health and the Education Committees
of the County Council and by the Joint Consultative Committee
for Primary and Secondary Education. As a result, a leaflet was prepared
which was to be distributed to schools with children over nine years of age.
A county poster competition for school children was to be organised and
it was hoped that teachers in their school lessons would use the statistical
evidence which has been adduced about the relationship of smoking
and cancer of the lung. It was also hoped that the Head Teachers would
invite the County Health Education Officer to lecture on the subject to
their pupils. He would too be prepared to talk to Parent/Teachers
Associations and to special meetings of parents, more especially parents
of secondary school children.
Whether this method of approach is likely to achieve any real benefit
is a matter of doubt. It is certainly easier to get into touch with a child
than with the adult, but it is doubtful whether he will do what he is
exhorted to do. In the case of some, there will be the contrary effect in
that he joins those who are reacting against authority. In 1960 a tna
of the effect of education as a means of influencing children not to smoe
was undertaken at two secondary modern schools which had comparatle