A NEW national survey has shown an alarming number of young people are not just experimenting with cigarettes but are regular smokers, according to ASH Ireland, the antismoking group.
The survey, commissioned by the Department of Health on the smoking and drinking habits of young people, shows that the statutory age limits controlling alcohol and cigarette sales are widely disregarded.
The survey, carried out by the ESRI, found that 43 per cent of boys under 13 years have experimented with cigarettes. Almost a fifth are current smokers (smoked at least one to two cigarettes in the last month) and 7 per cent are regular smokers, despite over 90 per cent of those questioned saying they considered smoking dangerous.
"A majority of the young people questioned felt that smoking was dangerous to their health, yet an alarming number are experimenting and becoming addicted to cigarettes," said Dr Luke Clancy, consultant respiratory physician and chairman of ASH.
It is very obvious there is simply not enough education in this vital area and serious consideration must be given by the Government to introducing a comprehensive education programme for all children, commencing at primary level."
The figures for 17 year olds show that almost three quarters of boys and almost two thirds of girls have experimented with cigarettes. Almost a quarter of both sexes are regular smokers. More girls than boys become current and regular smokers as they progress through their teens.
Only one in 10 of those under 16 were ever refused cigarettes, mainly bought from newsagents despite the legislation prohibiting their sale to those under 16.
The report was commissioned by the Health Promotion Unit of the Department of Health in early 1993. About 4,000 people aged 12-18, including some between 15 and 18 who had left school, were surveyed.
The survey, the first of its kind to concentrate on a national sample, also examined the drinking nab its of young people. It found that almost two thirds of pupils between 12 and 18 years' had experience of alcohol. Almost 29 per cent were regular drinkers and over 40 per cent said they had had at least one alcoholic drink in the previous month.
Almost 40 per cent also indicated they had been drunk at least once in the previous year. At the age of 17, this increased to three quarters of boys and over half of girls.
Pubs, discos and the home were the three most common sources for alcohol. Discos were the place students reported being least likely to experience refusal, with only one in 10 having been refused despite the fact that sale of alcohol to those under 18 is illegal.
In common with previous research, there was a clear link between a young person smoking and their best friend smoking. The same was true for drinking.
Dr Clancy said ASH had called a number of times for a total ban on tobacco advertising.
"The matter is more urgent now as recent disclosures in the US included an admission that young people were being targeted by tobacco advertising. Several European countries have introduced a total ban on advertising and research indicates that this measure is having a positive effect."
As an interim measure in advance of a total ban, ASH has asked the Minister for Health to ban outerpage advertising of cigarettes.