TEENS GIVING UP BUTTS FOR WEED?

First the good news. Adolescent smoking is down -- way down. Indeed,
68 per cent of teenagers in a recent Quebec poll said they had never
smoked. Only 19 per cent of high school students now smoke on a daily
basis. This number stood at 30 per cent eight years ago. The survey
showed that kids, on average, first light up at 12 years of age, and
that twice as many high school girls smoke than boys. More Secondary 5
students smoke than any other grade. Researchers note, however, that
smoking among secondary-three students has dropped to 16 per cent --
down from 25 per cent two years ago. This augurs well for the future.

Quebec Department of Health and Social Services researchers maintain
that if the smoking habit hasn't grabbed you as a teenager, your
chance of being smoke-free for life stands at 86 per cent. In other
words, only 14 per cent of Quebecers begin smoking at 20 years of age
or older.

Next week, Quebec's anti-smoking law will ban smoking on elementary
and high school properties, or giving a minor a cigarette on school
land.

Fines are high. Puffing teenagers 14 to 17 years face a $100 fine.
Adults, 18 years and up, can be hit with one for $300. This climbs to
a maximum of $600 for those who recommit. Give a minor a cigarette on
school property and fines range from $50 to $300, with a $600 high for
repeated offences.

Schools can't escape. If someone is caught smoking on elementary or
high school property, the initial fine the school will pay can range
from $400 to $4,000. A second offence brings an astronomical $1,000 to
$10,000 fine. Ouch!

Higher-learning institutions haven't been spared either. Since May
31st, Quebec has banned smoking and the selling of tobacco in CEGEPs
and universities. Smoking is also prohibited within nine metres of
their entranceways. Gone are those ugly scenes of people huddling and
puffing around the doors.

Now the bad news. While cigarette and cigar smoking are out, pot is
in. A recent Universite de Montreal survey claims that marijuana has
taken Montreal-area high school students by storm.

A whopping 15 per cent of the 1,000 high school students surveyed said
they smoked pot daily. An incredible 10 per cent -- meaning three
students in a class of 30 -- claimed they were hooked.

I have never taught secondary school, but I don't believe these
numbers. Sure, pot is sold in high schools. Yes, teenagers smoke a
joint here and there.

Indeed, 40 per cent of those surveyed said they had smoked marijuana
over the past year, but how much of it could be termed
"experimentation"?

Undoubtedly there are kids hooked on marijuana in high school. And it
is a very worrisome problem for parents, teachers and schools. But
that 10 per cent of your child's classmates are dependent on pot -- I
don't buy it. The number is just too high.