Wanna Smoke? Bring a Note

September 10, 2007 - 11:30 AM by Stephanie

Anti-smoking campaigners contend that the best way to nip the problem before onset is to target young people; On Kibbutz Kfar Blum, a decision was taken to target smoking from a different angle: put the responsibility on the parents.

The kibbutz school has several smoking lounges for 10th-12th graders. Instead of shutting them down altogether, administrators are asking kids for a note. From their parents. That says they’re allowed to use smoking lounges.

Ooh…nothing like a little pressure to prey on the conscience.

How did the parents react? According to Hebrew daily Maariv, one parent threw it back at the school.

“Today they let them smoke. Tomorrow they’ll let them drink alcohol. . . This exaggerated liberalism is lending legitimacy to a harmful habit,” said one upset mother.

The district superintendent was shocked and dismayed to learn that schools have smoking lounges and vowed to shut them down. “This is an excellent school where children learn about achievement and facing challenges – one of those challenges is the battle against smoking. I will not have lounges in the school,” Dr. Yehiel Shilah told press.

There goes the neighborhood.

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