Stubbing out bad habits

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
It is pleasing to note a further reduction in smoking rates among young people.

The latest Ministry of Health annual health survey shows the number of 15 to 17-year-old smokers has dropped by a third in the past year - from 12,000 to 8000, a drop of 15.7%.

There has been a steady decline in youth smoking rates during the past decade or more. Ten years ago, 35,000 people aged 15 to 17 were smokers.

The negative health effects of smoking are considerable. The ministry notes the sobering statistics: half of all long-term smokers will die from a smoking-related disease; about 5000 people die each year in New Zealand because of smoking or second-hand smoke exposure. More than 60 of the chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause cancer.

It has been estimated each cigarette consumed takes an average of 11 minutes off a person's life.

The arguments around choice and responsibility - used with alcohol, fast food and sugary drinks, for example - are surely not applicable when every single drag causes harm. There is no way to mitigate the damage.

The cost to individuals and society is significant: incomes go up in smoke, the taxpayer faces hefty health costs, the economy loses productivity, families and friends are needlessly bereaved.

It has taken a long time for the health messages to start getting through, for authorities to have the confidence and ability to tackle industry giants, for attitudes to change. It has taken legal battles, education, action and enforcement in various areas over decades.

Once, smokers could light up in workplaces, public buildings, aircraft, restaurants and playgrounds; now, the habit has become less sociably acceptable. Higher prices have put the habit out of reach for many.

Given the addictive nature of the product, it has been difficult for many to give up smoking, and it has been pleasing, therefore, to see more support on offer, as well as new options, such as e-cigarettes and vaping, credited with helping people to quit.

It is genuinely exciting that there is now a generation of people growing up who have never smoked, who have not been inundated with misleading images about smoking, have not breathed in vast amounts of second-hand smoke, who are living in a society where smoking is not the ``norm''.

For all the progress on that front, however, we have a long way to go to tackle the impact of alcohol on youth.

The latest Ministry of Health figures show well over half (56.3%) of 15 to 17-year-olds have drunk alcohol in the past year, and 7.6% (or 15,000) are drinking at hazardous levels. While there has been a decline in 18 to 24-year-olds drinking at hazardous levels, those mid-teen statistics are sobering.

It is easy to blame individuals - and, of course, choice does come in to the equation. But whereas cigarettes may be more out of sight and therefore mind, our environment is still saturated with alcohol. It is readily accessible, affordable, often associated in advertising with sport and fitness. The harm caused by irresponsible drinking is far more visible than smoking. Just wander round any town or city at night and witness the aggression; read the court pages of this newspaper to learn of the repercussions.

We owe it to our youngsters to model better habits all round.

 

Comments

habit of dead beats its self harm and passive smoke kills others innocent of the dirty habit