You may want change your drug PSAs a disturbing link between drug-taking and teenage smoking has been revealed in the U.K.
U.K.'s Home Office-sponsored study of more than 4,000 schoolchildren shows hardened young smokers are 22 times more likely to experiment with drugs than those not dependent on nicotine.
But a study by the Addictive Behaviour Centre of Roehampton Institute and three London health authorities calls for a radical overhaul in drug education by health organizations and hospitals with dangers on smoking spelled out to primary school children.
Both studies may dismay drug agencies and health education experts. Anti-smoking campaigners immediately expressed concern. The research, the most comprehensive of its kind, was undertaken with English health authorities, with data being collected from 1,941 students at primary schools and 2,440 at secondary schools.
The survey shows that 9 percent of secondary school children smoked every day, 8 percent sometimes, and 16 percent smoked at one point but have now given up. Most smokers had their first cigarette before the age of 12. Four in 10 say cannabis is very easy to obtain. Three in 10 admitted they have been offered illicit drugs, with 17 percent admitting to taking drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy or speed.
Although the study may allay fears that drug-taking has become the norm, it reveals that by the age of 11, primary school pupils have an "extensive" knowledge of the drug culture, with children as young as 7 aware of drug dealing.
Louise O'Connor, project director for the study, said: "Our research revealed that young dependent smokers are 22 times more likely to use illicit drugs than non-smokers, leading us to believe that smoking education needs to begin in the primary school and assume a higher priority." (British Home Office, 44/171/234-1756)