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10
apart from the fact that the monumental mass of scientific and medical
evidence has proved the efficacy of fluoride as a caries inhibitor and also
its extremely wide safety margin in use, the main protagonist for its use
would be the appalling amount of dental caries found in young children.
If something can improve this situation and with relative safety, why
argue against its use? True our sophisticated diet aids and abets the onset
of caries but experience has shown that to change a nation's dietary
habits—especially when it concerns sweets, sugar and carbohydrates in
any form—is an almost hopeless task! This task will not be relinquished
but we must have fluoridation if dental health, and as a corollary, general
health is to be improved.
The findings of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1962
regarding the connection between cigarette smoking and lung cancer
were confirmed by the studies carried out in the United States and reported
by the Surgeon General in his report on "Smoking and Health"
published in 1963. However, just to confuse the issue West German
scientists have been investigating the hazards of smoking over the past
five years and their report to be published soon claims that air pollution
is more likely to cause lung cancer than cigarette smoking! The report
states that although heavy cigarette smoking shortened expectation of
life other contributory factors were involved, but people most likely to
get cancer were those working in dusty and smoke-ridden atmospheres.
Education of the public and especially of the young person regarding the
hazards of smoking continued during the year. Full use was made of all
Ministry posters and in May 1963, the Mobile Unit of the Central Council
for Health Education visited the district. Films, publicity material and
informal discussions were in the programme which was aimed at the
13+ age group as being the one most likely to benefit by the impact of
the campaign. The interest shown as judged by the quantity and quality
of the questions asked by the pupils was very heartening. However ont
wonders how lasting is the impact of poster, pamphlet, lecture and film
Cancer is a "nasty" word to the public mainly because of the fear it conjures
up. Smoking to the young is a status symbol, a sign of maturity,a
sign of "being with it". To grown-ups it is a comforter both in time of
stress and also in time of relaxation—unfortunately a comforter which so
easily becomes an addiction. Central Government acton regarding banning
smoking seems out of the question. Apart from the fact that so inuc
big business and revenue from taxation is involved, the public themselves
would never stand for such a ban. This is something which they will
have to assess for themselves by studying the pros and cons and then
making their own decision. Meanwhile Health Departments, together with
other health educational organisations, will just have to carry on pointing
out the dangers and hoping that eventually their efforts will bear fruit.
The latter part of the year saw the beginning of the preparatory work
for the 1st April, 1965, when Borough 29 comes into being under the
Re-organisation of London Government. Under the London Government
Bill the new London Borough Councils become local health authorities