Leading by example?
In the star,
Any anti-smoking initiative is commendable. However, how effective and reliable are these screening methods? Or will it be a futile exercise and a waste of university funds? As to my knowledge, there is no effective way of determining if a person is smoking or otherwise, except through a breathanalyzer which detects carbon in the breath of an individual. Even this will not be accurate as pollution can also result in a false positive test. Social smokers can hardly be detected. Even smokers that abstain prior to entry into the university will escape the net.
So what is the purpose? I strongly feel that it will be an absolute waste of money and manpower. I understand the intentions of Prof Datuk Dzulkifli but such methods just will not work. It will only create a greater sense of defiance among the student population. Moreover, I think he should first look into his faculty before enforcing such rules on students. I am quite sure there will be smokers among his current faculty members!
Education remains the main tool in our fight against tobacco smoking. Ultimately, the individual will have to decide what is best for himself. Using peer approach is underutilised and needs greater emphasis. I think even patients with coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive lung diseases and cancers caused by tobacco smoke should step forth to educate the young. This usually sends a powerful message that smoking tobacco does have real and dire consequences.
I do applaud the ongoing "TAK NAK" campaign. It is costly but necessary.
So to USM, I am sure there will be no public backlash but is this the best method?
| USM to screen for smokers
BY NG SU-ANN AND KAREN CHAPMAN PENANG: About 5,000 freshies entering Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) next month will have to undergo compulsory medical screening to detect smokers. Those tested positive will be sent to the university’s “quit smoking” clinic where special programmes will be held for them to kick the habit. USM is believed to be the first public university to introduce the move. The university would also conduct training for 50 staff members who would soon be empowered to fine students and staff who were caught smoking in the main campus here, said its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak. A staunch tobacco-control activist, Prof Dzulkifli said he did not expect any public backlash as the move was aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and was in line with the government’s aim to discourage smoking. |
Any anti-smoking initiative is commendable. However, how effective and reliable are these screening methods? Or will it be a futile exercise and a waste of university funds? As to my knowledge, there is no effective way of determining if a person is smoking or otherwise, except through a breathanalyzer which detects carbon in the breath of an individual. Even this will not be accurate as pollution can also result in a false positive test. Social smokers can hardly be detected. Even smokers that abstain prior to entry into the university will escape the net.
So what is the purpose? I strongly feel that it will be an absolute waste of money and manpower. I understand the intentions of Prof Datuk Dzulkifli but such methods just will not work. It will only create a greater sense of defiance among the student population. Moreover, I think he should first look into his faculty before enforcing such rules on students. I am quite sure there will be smokers among his current faculty members!
Education remains the main tool in our fight against tobacco smoking. Ultimately, the individual will have to decide what is best for himself. Using peer approach is underutilised and needs greater emphasis. I think even patients with coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive lung diseases and cancers caused by tobacco smoke should step forth to educate the young. This usually sends a powerful message that smoking tobacco does have real and dire consequences.
I do applaud the ongoing "TAK NAK" campaign. It is costly but necessary.
So to USM, I am sure there will be no public backlash but is this the best method?
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