Channel NewsAsia - 58 minutes
ago
SINGAPORE: A recent survey by the Health Promotion Board (HPB)
has showed that nearly one in five youths in Singapore agree
smoking is not harmful.
71 per cent of the surveyed also feel they can stop smoking
anytime they want.
Ms V. Prema, Deputy Director of the Youth Health Division of HPB
said the misconceptions regarding smoking and its effects are
worrying.
"Quite of lot (of youths) think that they can quit anytime but
that’s not such an easy feat because nicotine is quite an addictive
drug," said Ms Prema.
"We recommend that you don’t even start in the first place,
otherwise, once you get into the habit, it’s not impossible to
quit, but it’s very, very difficult."
The survey also indicated while just nine per cent of young
people aged 13 to 16 smoked, another common misconception is that
lighting up is a cool act that "a lot of young people are
doing".
Analysis from the survey data showed that social network plays
an important part in advocating youths to pick up their first
cigarette.
59 per cent of youth smokers polled have at least one parent who
smokes, while only 34 per cent of non—smokers have smoking
parents.
95 per cent of youth smokers have close friends who smoke, while
only 34 per cent of non—smokers could say the same.
Apart from ’scare tactics’ such as placing images of long—term
effects of smoking on cigarette boxes, the HPB has also adopted
other measures in an effort to discourage youths from taking their
first puff.
The HPB has also actively promoted anti—smoking messages through
the media, anti—smoking activities and curriculum in schools, and
set up fairs and competitions.
Going forward, the board said it will tie up with the YEH (Youth
Evolution for Health) programme, where youth advocates will help
talk to other youths about the risks involved in smoking.
Ms Prema hopes that parents can play a part in discouraging
their children from lighting up, or help them kick the habit if
they already have.
"I think if parents themselves can be good role models and stay
smoke free, that would be (great)," she said.
"I think it’s also important for parents to talk to their
children about smoking... talk to your kids about the harmful
effects, tell them how to say no, maybe even role play with them.
That would help them face with that kind of (peer) pressure when
the time comes." — CNA/yb