Health reporter Martin Johnston begins a series on the state of smoking in New Zealand and efforts to reduce it.
Jump to full article: New Zealand Herald, 2010-01-04
Author: Martin Johnston
Intro: Fraser Kearns is among the rising number of teenagers who have never smoked a cigarette. Not one puff.
But the 14-year-old from Mt Albert in Auckland reckons he will probably give smoking a try one day.
"I think most kids will want to know what every experience is like. Quite a few of my friends have tried it."
Two other Mt Albert boys, Matthew Turner and Adam Eynon-Richards, both 14, likewise say that although they have never tried smoking, they may in future.
"Because of curiosity," said Matthew. Added Adam: "To see what it's like."
All three report receiving comprehensive information at their schools about the dangers of smoking - but being told of the risk of developing lung cancer or heart disease seems insufficient to put them off tobacco for life.
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