DOHA: Lack of parental care and supervision, bad company and easy access to cash are some of the factors responsible for the rising number of smokers among school students.
There is growing concern among parents, educationists and the community at large as the number of smokers keeps rising among school students.
The problem is particularly alarming among students of preparatory and secondary schools, according to a recent survey.
It shows that some 15.7 percent students from preparatory and secondary levels smoke.
The findings have led to concern among parents and education experts, the local Arabic daily Al Raya reported yesterday.
A former supervisor of religious studies at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Rashid Al Oda Al Fadli, told the daily that bad company was mainly to blame for students’ addiction to tobacco in any form.
“I would say that a student’s easy access to money and lack of parental supervision could also make him vulnerable to the vice.”
Another crucial factor that could expose a young student to smoking is the driver of the car who ferries him to school from home and back, Al Fadli said.
If the driver smokes, it can portend danger since he could fetch the student cigarettes and make him smoke.
He said it was a matter of concern that neighbourhood stores in the vicinity of schools were selling cigarettes in violation of rules.
There must be close monitoring of these stores and even those far away from schools must not be allowed to sell cigarettes to those under 18, said Al Fadli, adding that the law bars them but there is lack of monitoring.
Then, there are some teachers and fathers who smoke. “So what kind of ideals they are presenting before their children and students?”
Dr Abdul Nasser Saleh, Associate Professor of Social Work, Qatar University, told the daily that at an early age a student can be influenced by TV programmes, particularly films and serials.
There should be open dialogue with students who smoke and their problems should be identified and solved, he added.
The Peninsula
