Why do students smoke?

From Pikiran Rakyat

Monday, July 15 1996 was the first day of the 1996/1997 school year. Between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. I noticed many students in school uniform heading for home along the Kebon Kelapa-Setiabudi route, puffing on cigarettes.

As a member of society, I know that smoking affects people's health and, therefore, is best avoided. The question is, why do many students like to smoke?

Several questions beg an answer:

1. Are students who smoke ever told of the negative side of their habit by their teachers?

2. Do teachers warn students about smoking, but smoke themselves?

3. Do parents forbid their children to smoke?

4. Or do they, on the other hand, leave their children to their own devices on the assumption that they have reached adulthood?

As a member of society, I believe students who smoke, aside from jeopardizing their own health, are uncouth and this is a very saddening situation. Therefore, I think that a new ruling should be drawn up, whereby students who smoke in school uniform are punished.

SURONO

Bandung, West Java