Smoking Hastens Ageing Of The Young
By Liza Mohd

Bandar Seri Begawan - Senior Health Medical Officer Dr Hjh Budi Rositawati binte Hj Budi Ismail said smoking speeds the ageing process due to diminishing Vitamin A and C in our body by the chemical substances found inside a cigarette.

Teenagers are under the impression that smoking is a habit which makes them appear grown up, she said. Smoking can also cause lack of physical endurance or stamina while carrying out physical or sports activities.

She spoke during the launch of an anti-smoking campaign at Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali (SMSA) in conjunction with the enforcement of Anti-Tobacco order on June 1 this year by the Ministry of Health.

She said the initiatives taken by SMSA serve as an example in assisting the government to reduce and curb the use of tobacco in the country for a more quality lifestyle.

Since January 2002, all schools in Brunei Darussalam have been declared as tobacco-free zone and various activities and steps are being taken by the government to ensure and transform Brunei into a smoke-free country.

Under the Tobacco Act 2005 and Regulations 2007, no cigarettes' are allowed to be sold to individuals below the age of 18, which is a major step to handle smoking problems among teenagers. Ninety per cent of smokers worldwide develop smoking habits due to exposure towards cigarettes's promotional activities that are carried out aggressively.

Meanwhile, school principal Cheong Huat Joo said under the Tobacco Act, an individual below 18 caught smoking or in possession of cigarettes in a public area for personal use or otherwise can face a fine of up to $500 or $1,000 for subsequent offence.

He urged school members not to familiarise themselves with cigarettes if they are not smokers. He urged smokers to quit smoking to avoid financial losses. He hoped students will be involved in healthy sports and community activities.

The school's anti-smoking campaign is organised through its Health Promotion Committee led by Cikgu Dk Mas Juleana binte Pg Hj Abd Rahman and the Head of Staff Welfare Cikgu Emisa Samiun and also assisted by SMSA Student's Representative Council and Prefect's Board.

The school campaign took place to create awareness of the long term effects of smoking and to join hands in the enforcement of the anti-tobacco order.

The chief guest presented certificates and prizes to winners of a logo and poster drawing competition.

Dr Hjh Budi also joined an aerobics workout with over 100 students and witnessed performances staged by the students before releasing a giant banner with the school's custom made logo created by a student, Awang Mohd Akmal Hakim bin Mohd Ali, to mark the anti-smoking campaign.

The Health Promotion department of the Ministry of Health also set up exhibition booths to attract viewers and contribute to the success of the campaign.

A video presentation showed the fatal effects of smoking cigarettes.

Other activities included a motivational workshop, mini-concert, treasure hunt and wordplay. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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