Legal Smoke Rooms for Schoolkids

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Russian schools are planning to set up 'smoking centres' where children can smoke without being punished to help prevent fires.The controversial idea was proposed by firemen in Moscow and will be tried out in a pilot project.

entire article

What do you guys think of this? is it good that they're allowing kids to smoke, or should they try to prevent it by all means?

I didn't really know exactly where to put this thread, so I put it here. You guys can move it if you want. I really don't care. Just don't move it to chit chat please.

[DaCuBaN]

I think this is an excellent and long overdue proposal. Outlawing smoking in schools have done nothing but make inquisitive children ask what all the fuss is about - and quite often their exploration inadvertantly leads to addiction.

This will be a two pronged solution: they will be able to keep a track of who smokes and who doesn't (which I'm sure, for reasons unbeknown to me they will) and allow those who are 'curious' to see the effects of smoking with their own eyes

It's not as if a smoky room is an especially nice place to be.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

I guess they're also expecting parents to buy their kids cigarettes, or assuming that they're getting them illegaly, because I'm pretty sure primary and secondary school-age kids in Russia are not allowed to buy tobacco products.

[BuyOurEverything]

I agree with letting kids smoke, but what's the purpose of special rooms? Why can't they just smoke outside? That's what everyone does at my high school.

[DaCuBaN]

I think in the winter in some parts of Russia it might be prudent to not send kids outside unless you absolutely have to

In my personal experience, smoking wasn't just frowned upon within school: it was a punishable offence - If you were ever spotted smoking within the school grounds having a fly one you were detained as a result.

Not that I ever went to aforementioned detention: After all, they actually have no power to detain you in this country. This does not making the suggestion of locking someone away - even if just for a short period - over a personal choice they have made any less ludicrous

[BuyOurEverything]

I think in the winter in some parts of Russia it might be prudent to not send kids outside unless you absolutely have to

Ever been to northern Canada in the middle of winter?

In my personal experience, smoking wasn't just frowned upon within school: it was a punishable offence - If you were ever spotted smoking within the school grounds having a fly one you were detained as a result.

Ya, that's what it's like in the US, is that where you're from? In most Canadian schools, you can smoke outside, though.

[DaCuBaN]

Ever been to northern Canada in the middle of winter?

No, I'm in Scotland, UK - the winters here can be good or bad... but if I remember correctly the record low where I live is -21 celsius, though the average is about freezing point - Canada and Russia both get a lot colder, but that is sufficient to be cruel sending people outside in that weather when you are dealing with an addiction like this.

With this given, perhaps we should contact the relevant canadian authorites and advise them of the abuses happening to their school smoking populous

I agree with the smoking rooms idea, but perhaps it should be coupled with anti-smoking schemes as well? Then at least you have a choice (of sorts) - Live with the cold or live with the propoganda. Whichever sits better with you.

*EDIT*

Most workplaces in this country have designated smoking rooms - why should school be any different? Stopping kids from smoking is simply exercising the right of an adult to control a minor - and It's hardly very just.

[pedro san pedro]

new south wales in australia has injecting rooms for herion addicts - places they can shoot up without fear of getting in shit from the cops.

since they have been up and running literally hundreds of overdoses have been stopped - ie lives have been saved

[Xvall]

I see no problem with it. It might sound backwards, but if you're going to prevent kids from smoking for the sake of their health, you should prevent them from eating fat-filled quisine and candy. Until they do the latter, I won't support the first.

[BuyOurEverything]

DaCuban: I just say that because I live in northern Canada, and kids go outside all the time, even in -35C to smoke, and nobody ever complains. It's not really a problem.

[h&s]

Not that I ever went to aforementioned detention: After all, they actually have no power to detain you in this country

Eh?
I live in England and they are constantly reminding us of some education act of '98 that lets them detain us without our parent's permission.

[DarkAngel]

I think its a good idea, because kids are going to smoke anyways. I mean cmon, yesterday I saw a 7yr old kid with a bottle of Gin asking me for a stoke. I was like wtf! How old are you. Then i realized how old i was when i started to smoke...{dun smoke cigs any more, but the occasional blunt never hurt anyone }

Its good because then kids won't be afraid to smoke, and end up lighting buildings on fire. But then its going to make society think that its ok for little kids to smoke... and by creating these rooms they are acually influencing kids to do this, in a way.... I don't know, there are pros and cons...but I do believe pot should be legal, along with X...

[Hiero]

Hold up this is fucking russia now if they create smoking "rooms" they rooms are because it is cold outside. If it is a lit cigerate going to light anything up, everything is going to to be wet and a damp.

[Hiero]

Originally posted by DarkAngel@May 27 2004, 08:49 PM
should be legal, along with X...

I hate you Dark angel. This fucking pop drug is used to make people dance more. Come on fucking dance more, pot yeah it the majority its a less violent drug and can be a pain killer. While yes ectasy's may have some medical use that scientist are invistegating, its not worth having kids OD over.

[Saint-Just]

I think people should be allowed to smoke at the legal age. I think this is okay assuming the children are of the legal smoking age in Russia.

I think that is wrong that in the UK we are going down a path to eliminate smoking entirely. I imagine that in the near future some people will be talking about banning smoking in public.

[BuyOurEverything]

While yes ectasy's may have some medical use that scientist are invistegating, its not worth having kids OD over.

How many people have ever ODed on E? Maybe one or two? Now compare that to the number of people who have died in car accidents...

I think people should be allowed to smoke at the legal age

Why does an arbitray number matter? High school kids should be allowed to smoke at any age. And where have you been CM?

[truthaddict11]

I think that is wrong that in the UK we are going down a path to eliminate smoking entirely. I imagine that in the near future some people will be talking about banning smoking in public.

knowing how pissed people are in America about the anti public smoking laws in certain areas, i dont think people in the UK will react differently.

[Saint-Just]

Originally posted by BuyOurEverything@May 31 2004, 11:15 AM

I think people should be allowed to smoke at the legal age

Why does an arbitray number matter? High school kids should be allowed to smoke at any age. And where have you been CM?

It is not arbitrary, the number that is chosen is the age at which people are deemed fit to make the choice. Smoking affects the person who smokes and people around them. It doesn't have a great affect though, I don't have a problem with people smoking at any age. But, most countries have their legal age for it and there are some fairly good reasons. One reason is that a 13 year old might choose to smoke 40 a day since they cannot comprehend the damage it can do to their health. Or, for example, a child may be be more likely to start a fire. Although, I think young children can be taught the dangers of fire quite easily (unfortunately it is not done well enough at the moment).

I have posted less but I think I have been around.

knowing how pissed people are in America about the anti public smoking laws in certain areas, i dont think people in the UK will react differently.

Yes, but as in America they were able to do it. It surprises me since I cannot see it happening in the UK, but if it worked in the U.S. (and ROI) it seems inevitable that it will happen here.