Tobacco: Deadly in any form or disguise

NEW YORK: Nearly one in five 13-to 15-year-old students worldwide use tobacco products, according to findings of a new survey released last week.

The new findings come in anticipation of the World Health Organisation's World No Tobacco Day, which is held every year on May 31. The theme for this year is "Tobacco: Deadly in Any Form or Disguise," emphasising that it's not just cigarette smoking that is harmful.

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey was begun in 1999 as joint effort by the WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Canadian Public Health Association. The CDC report included data obtained up to 2005.

Students from more than 130 countries responded to questions about tobacco, including personal use, secondhand exposure and advertising. The countries were divided into six geographic regions: Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific.

The report indicates that 17.3 per cent of all respondents reported that they currently used some type of tobacco product. The overall rates of cigarette smoking and other tobacco use were 8.9 per cent and 11.2 per cent.

Europe and the Americas had the highest rates of cigarette smoking at approximately 17.7 per cent, while South-East Asia had the lowest rate at 4.3 per cent. However, South-East Asia had the highest rate of other tobacco use at 13.3 per cent, while the Western Pacific had the lowest at 6.4 per cent.

In all regions, the use of other tobacco products was generally more common among boys than among girls. However, the prevalence of all tobacco use between the sexes was similar, which the researchers say is a cause for concern, and suggest that "effective tobacco-control programmes must be developed and implemented with special focus on girls."

These programmes should include evidence-based interventions for adolescents to decrease the burden of tobacco-related disease," the researchers conclude.

Reuters

Teens say no to

child labour

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

"The end of child labour: Within reach! Together we can do it!" This was the theme of World Day Against Child Labour commemorated on June 7 organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The speciality at this year's event was children themselves gathered to say `NO' to child labour.

Young talented teens from Thalawakele and Hatton took all the trouble to assemble in Colombo to speak of what they witness in their villages and to raise their voices against child labour.

These youngsters are members of Children's Club which give them the opportunity to develop their talents.

The scripts were written by children themselves and both dramas emphasised on how child labour steal away their childhood dreams and fill their lives with misery. This message emerged not only through words but by the expressions of teen actors and actresses.

Anusha, 13, who acted as the mother in the drama, said children should be going to school instead of working. She thinks that education is important for a child.

Mithshana said children should be given the opportunity to enjoy their childhood.

"Parents must understand that a child is not an adult and we have the right to say `no' to child labour."

Surendra, 13, of Dinilakelle, who came up with some strong ideas said. "Parents are foolish. When they send their child to work, education stops. Parents should use their brains."

He said he has three friends who work in hotels and he doubts that child labour will end in his village.

Sridharan, 13, feels parents should keep children at home if they can't afford to send them to school. He says when children are sent for jobs they become arrogant and end up becoming criminals.

Fazila, 15, pleaded with the elders not to send children to work but give them the opportunity to study.

After witnessing their performance and speaking to these youngsters I felt that there is something left behind for us to do. Girls and Boys, you must be lucky enough to get the chance to enjoy life but there are many out there waiting for love, care and happiness.So hereafter when you walk on the road if you see a youngster selling lotteries or pulling a cart don't turn your eyes away. Let us work together according to the theme to end child labour.

Reasons why English language is so hard to learn

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.

2. The farm was used to produce produce.

3. The sump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4. We must polish the polish furniture.

5. He could lead if he could get the lead out.

6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7. Since there is no tome like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10. I did not object to the object.

11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13. They were too close to the door to close it.

14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down in to a sewer line.

16. To help with planting the farmer thought his sow how to sow.

17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.

19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.

20. I had to subject the subject to series of tests.

21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Sent by Chinthana

Dancing and Wushu go hand in hand for

Madushanka

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

Dancing is an art of moving your body to the beat of the drum. Wushu is an art of defense. How can one excel at the same time in these contrasting arts? That is exactly what 19-year-old Madushanka Seneviratne does.

Coming from the remote village of Madugalla, Madushanka had his early education at Madugalla Junior College and is now schooling at Sri Rahula College, Katugastota.

After witnessing the Kandy Perahera his passion for dancing which he was practising since seven years was rekindled. "I learnt the basics in dancing at the Erandathi Institution and my father who is also a Kandyan dancer gave his fullest support to bring me to this position," Madushanka smiled with gratitude.

He also said that his brother follows his footsteps and is practising dancing.

At the same time, action movies also interested him. Having wanted to take up Wushu, but not having facilities to learn it in his village, Madushanka never thought he would become a Wushu champion. Attending Sri Rahula College to do his A\Ls paved the way for him to be the Champion in `Sanshou' in the 14th National Schools' Wushu Championship, 2004 (56kg weight class) organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Wushu Association in no time.

He was also the Gold Medallist at the 3rd Central Province School Wushu Championship 2004 under 17 in 52-56kg weight class and was third at the 4th Central Province school Wushu Championship 2005 under 19 (56-60 kg weight class). "I attended a Wushu class in school and was coached by Anil Galappatti. I improved myself a lot under him," Madushanka said.

During his leisure, Madushanka enjoys reading and listening to music. He says that he always gave priority to his studies and is sitting for A\Ls this year.

"I hope to continue my studies in the Commerce stream. At the same time, I won't neglect my achievements," he said revealing his future plans.

Madushanka has achieved places amidst lot of hardships. He says that there aren't enough facilities for him to go further in Wushu but he is not ready to give up what he started.

"I love both Wushu and Dancing and will continue them somehow", he said with determination.

Hi Teens,

Today Daily News Teen brings the glimpses of World Day Against Child Labour commemorated on June 7. Send in your ideas and suggestions on this issue to Daily News Teen, No. 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10. Other contributions are also welcome. We will also publish photographs of our Teen members in the coming weeks.