'8 to 10 year olds most vulnerable to smoking'

The startling revelation was made by Prathima Murthy, Professor of Psychiatry and Chief of De-addiction Centre, Nimhans, at the interaction programme organised by the City police, Nimhans and various rehabilitation centres on Saturday. “This is a matter of serious concern, since by the time they are 15 or 16, their smoking habit leads them to try other drugs,”  Murthy pointed.

While many teenagers start smoking out of curiosity, grown-ups get addicted to smoking in an attempt to cope with stress, she said. Murthy also pointed that in Bangalore, 40 per cent of the drug users are classified as dependent users or addicts.

The programme, organised in an attempt to create public awareness about various contrabands and their adverse effect on the addict and society, was attended by more than 50 addicts and former drug users.

City Police Commissioner, Shankar Bidari, who inaugurated the programme said that the Police department is looking forward to arrange such initiatives in the future as well.