ARE TEACHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR STUDENTS' SMOKING?

As we say that «SMOKING IS BAD FOR HEALTH», a survey done by the scientist working for the social and public health: Marion Henderson proved that students can be smoking free with a positve and a good social environment. This research also shows that the environment in school and also the attitudes of the teachers can be one of the causes of a higher percentage of students' smoking.

She explains «The social environment in schools in particular the quality of teacher-pupil relationships, pupils attitudes to school and the school's focus on caring and inclusiveness, all influence both boys' and girls' smoking habits.» In fact there is a decrease in adult smoking and an increase in that of adolescents'. Dr Henderson found that on average 25% of males and 39% females aged between 15-16 are either heavy smokers or occasional smokers. She also declared that the school-based anti-smoking intervention are ineffective and that « Most focus on individual characteristics rather than on environment in which adolescents smoke. Our research has shown that this environment acts to either encourage or discourage smoking.»

There are many individual reasons that can explain this rise in students' smoking. Particularly, when the adolescents live with heavy smoking parents or the peer groups pressure, they are easily influenced. Too much pocket money can be used to buy cigarettes.

The scientist says « Our results suggest that investing in the social environment of schools and endeavouring to make school a positive experience even for less academically able pupils may have the potential to reduce smoking rates, particularly for boys.»

Nowadays people are searching for new methods to quit smoking. It has become a real public health problem in many countries all over the world.

Marie-Ange Louis

Linda Maximin

EJC 1