Auckland Headmaster Puts Ban On Smoking By Pupils

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28702, 27 September 1958, Page 14

Auckland Headmaster Puts Ban On Smoking By Pupils

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, September 26. Northcote College has banned smoking by pupils at all times. ‘‘Any pupil seen smoking in a public place, whether in school uniform or not, will be dealt with,”

said the principal (Mr F. H. Paul) today. The ban applies at week-ends also. The only exception is where parents allow smoking in their own homes.

“My attitude is quite unequivocal;’ said Mr Paul. “We must do our best to see they do not smoke.”

Other Auckland secondary schools heads backed up Mr Paul’s attitude. They said that the behaviour of school pupils outside of school hours reflected not

only on the pupil himself, but on his school.

“Although legally we may not have full authority, we do disapprove of smoking outside school hours,” said one. “It is really a matter for co-operatidn between the parent and the school.” Students at Northcote College cannot see how the ban will be enforced, according to one of them.

“They feel it infringes on their rights at the week-end and that the practice will continue whatever ban is made,” he said. “Those over 16 are allowed to smoke by law, and we cannot see why a distinction should be made between those -working and those still at school.”