SMOKING AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The effect of tobacco on children and young people is of particular concern in our local community.
We know that more young people in Camden are smoking than the national average, and there is a rapid increase in smoking rates in young people between the ages of 12 and 15 years old for both Camden and England as a whole¹. We also know that young people who are exposed to smoking in their household, where one or both parents smoke, are three times more likely to become smokers themselves¹.
Another concern is that young people in Camden are being exposed to second hand smoke, with 50% of students in year levels 8-10 reporting that at least one person smokes regularly in their home on most days². Second hand smoke can increase a non-smoker's risk of getting lung cancer and heart disease, as well as being associated with many other medical conditions like respiratory diseases and cancers³. This is especially the case for children and can cause serious medical conditions including childhood respiratory disease, middle ear disease and SIDS³.
Sarah Morris is Smokefree Camden’s Young Person’s Advisor. She provides support to young people who wish to quit smoking as well as advice to schools and youth organistions on helping to reduce the levels of smoking in young people.
If you would like more information contact Sarah Morris on 0800 10 70 401
Reference:
1. Camden Primary Care Trust. Ashes to Ashes: Camden Primary Care Trust Annual Public Health Report. 2006-2007.
2. Schools Health Education Unit. Supporting the health of young people in Camden: A Summery Report of the health related behaviour survey. Schools Health Education Unit. 2006.
3. Smokefree England. Available on http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/