World Dimno Day, is celebrated on the last day of January, and this year experts especially dedicate attention to the consumption of tobacco products and hoods at elementary school age.
As they stand out from the Institute for Health and Food Zenica (INZ), it wants to draw public attention to worrying trends among primary schools related to the consumption of tobacco products and nargils.
Troubling statistics
– This day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the harmfulness of the use of tobacco products, but also about preventive measures that are crucial to the protection of the youngest, expire Nino Hasanica, Chief of Service for School Hygiene in the Inz.
The Institute conducted a survey conducted among primary school students, in which 918 students from 6. to 9th grade from 75 primary schools.
As many as 15 percent of the children said he had already consumed or tried cigarettes, and 16.7 percent to consume the Nargil.
In the polls on the peers, as many as 80.6 percent of the basis knows someone who uses the Nargil, and every fourth (25 percent) is aware that their peers consume cigarettes.
The reasons for this phenomenon were also examined, so that “social impact” or the environment and the behavior of peers is the reason for them 54, 2 percent, while “stress and the need for relaxation” as a reason for consuming stated 37 percent. It is also interesting that it stated “boredom” as an occasion for the consuming of tobacco products, while “curiosity” led only 0.4 percent.
– Specially concerns the fact that the consumption of tobacco products occurs already in the 6th grade of primary school. A strong connection between social relations and habits of consumption is proven, which potentially indicates early signs of mental health problems in children, Hasanica points out.
The importance of application of the law
World Dimno Dime Day reminds us of the global fight against the harmful consequences of tobacco and calls for strengthening preventive measures, especially among children and young people.
This INZ survey confirms that the education of children, parents and teachers, as well as stricter control of the availability of tobacco products, crucial.
– In this context, the new Law on Control and Limited Use of Tobacco, tobacco and other smoking products in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose application began in December 2024. Years. This law prohibits smoking in closed public areas, including catering facilities, schools and jobs, which is a significant step towards reducing the exposure to children with the harmful influence of tobacco smoke. Also, the law imposes stricter control measures and envisages penalties for violation of regulations, which further encourages awareness of the importance of protection of the health of the youngest, Hasanica added.
All actors of society – parents, teachers, health workers and decision makers – are invited to engage in the fight against early consumption of tobacco products and nargils. Children are the most vulnerable group, and their health and safety depend on joint action, the Institute is stated.
