Child Workers Smoking More

Posted by Sukuh Seratau on October 25, 2002 at 10:09:12:

Bara JABBERS Around The World,

Greetings from the capital of PrahokLand!!. My apologies for the temporary silence from this Forum. I have been relocated to the capital of PrahokLand and had been busy settling in and getting acclimatized to the new environment. But I have been following up the postings in the Britong but not on a regular basis.

Child Labour is a global issue and PrahokLand is not different and actually a very good and glaring example of this social problems. In a recent local English tabloid here, it was reported thatb children working illegally in Kpg. Cham province seven rubber plantations face greater health problems this year due to increased cigarette use, a habit thought to keep nyamok at bay!!!..

Workers say cigarette serve as a natural insect repellent, enabling them to work longer hours ( A notion I also believed when I was a kid in the durian risun when it was durian season and nyetu time!!) in the mosquito-infested plantations.For every 10 children working there, 3.5 of them are addicted to cigarettes. The effect smoking has on developing lungs is worse for children than adults. Smoking damages children more quickly as their bodies are still young.

While rubber plantations owners do not officially recruit children, approximately 3,000 students have left schools for work in the 2002-2003 academic year alone. The slightly higher pay and lighter working conditions attract them and also due to poverty and abuses at home.

Working to counteract the dropout rate, the local governor enacted a new measure ordering the commune councils to return all child laborers to school, but progress is yet to be seen. The upsurge in child smoking is the latest in PrahokLand's long history of tobacco addiction. A study released by WHO in February showed that countries with little governmental control over tobacco experience higher rates of smoking. Health officials mark PrahokLand as having one of the lowest tax rates in the world on cigarettes.. Talking about SIN tax back home, guys!!!.

To further curb the rise of young smokers, the Ministry of Health has urged television stations to banm smoking advertisement during prime-time viewing hours.Effort may be in vain, however tobacco giants are targeting SEA countries to off-set dwindling markets in North America and Europe.

So, what say you JABBERS?.We should consider oureselves a bit luckier in the sense that child labor is not that bad back home and the government's commited effort to curb smoking especially among the young. But some just can't resist the urge or the thrill of trying a puff or two, which leads to prolonged and steady addiction. But whatever it is, the choice is yours!!. To smoke or not to smoke is Man's rights, right?.

On a lighter and different note, I wonder where have all the Britongers gone to?.I know Redline is away but should be back by now. YB Golong is back to school again. Pape Gabuk must be riding the sea-horses up north, Alex (senyap only), Charles must be busy ' Godaing" suami again..Pak Kutieng pun ilek.. ( I need to speak to you on my Income tax, how now??)B4, where are you uncle?.

So, do keep them comin' and all the best...

Have a Prahoktic day ahead... SS, Keeper of 41 sticks (still 41???)... Sumreap leah..