View Full Version : I've smoked since I was 4
A TEN-year-old who started smoking when he was just FOUR will stun viewers on a new BBC show.
Steffan Jackson gives a damming picture of modern-day Britain as he puffs away with the permission of his mum.
But after experts predicted Steffan Jackson could die at 40, and used computer imagery to show how he would look his mum was forced into trying to make him quit.
The blackened teeth and prematurely wrinkled, pockmarked skin is not just a warning to Steffan but to an entire generation blighted by an unhealthy lifestyle.
Robin Ashbrook, executive producer of new TV show Honey We’re Killing the Kids, said: “Steffan is not a one-off. It’s incredible we live in a world like this.”
The BBC3 series shows parents what is happening to their children, and advises them how to turn their lives around.
Mum Teresa, 45, from Leeds, sobs in the episode screened next Thursday when she is shown the picture — and quits her own 60-a-day habit.
Last night she said: “I was horrified.
“Steffan was under peer pressure and began smoking at the age of only four. He smoked about five cigs a day without my knowledge. I tried to stop him but couldn’t.
“Then I heard about this programme.”
Child psychologist Kris Murrin found both Steffan and sister Shannon, 11, had problems since their dad walked out — lacking discipline and gorging on fast food.
She puts them on a three-week programme in a bid to turn their lives around.
Kris said: “These are common problems.
“While parents know tons of chocolate isn’t good for children, they have never been shown the implications.
“So when you show where their child is heading, it is a huge shock but also a huge motivation to change.”
The team will return to Leeds in a couple of months to check Steffan’s progress.
I can not believe this!!!! Peer pressure at the age of four!!!! 5 a day at the age of four!!! Where was he getting the cigs from at that age? Where are social servies on this??? Disgusting!!!!
dragoneye454
06-10-2005, 09:11
Oh my god. How could his mum let him do that at four. He must have only just started school. How could peer pressure be affecting him then. Thats really awful
here are the pics of him now and in 40 years
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/luna07021983/0200546056200.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/luna07021983/0200546056400.jpg
Surly it cant be true no one would do that to their child
maybe a set up to show the effects of passive smoking aroung children??
that has really shocked me!! thats just awful
I'm sorry but where on earth were social services - what was the mother thinking of - she tried to make him quit, well if he wasnt getting the cigs from her, where was he getting them from. This is disgusting. Why this woman was allowed and still is allowed to keep her kids when what she had done is tantamount to abuse is beyond me!!!!!
Im going to have to watch this - maybe it is just a stunt :searchme: i hope it is
What sureley not?????
I'm gonna have to watch this.
I don't know if I can bring myself to - if its a stunt, its a pretty sick one and if its not, he shouldn't be with his mother anyway!!!
I have heard of this happening with kids though, so i should imagine it is true :(
4 years old!!!! i'm in shock!!
if it is true where was he getting the cigs from and when she found out about him smoking 5 a day then why didn't she stop him??? i know she says she couldn't but thats her just being lazy she couldn't be bothered with the hassle of him being grumpy for a few weeks. And his doctor what have they got to say about this??
How can you not stop 4 year old smoking?? I really dont understand....
like we've said - someone must have been providing him with the cigs in the first place - i am sure you can stop a 4 year old from smoking!!!
Behemoth
06-10-2005, 11:39
A 4 year old?! That is beyond stupid. The parents should be punished for letting their 4 year old smoke!
.:SpIcYsPy:.
07-10-2005, 09:59
From the title I thought it was you Luna :eek: This is very bad!!
I thought that aswell Spicy lol - then I decided to read it, and realised that wasn't the case, but was still horrified!!!
stacyefc
07-10-2005, 10:25
I've got a cousin Adam and he is 4. His dad is away in prison and his mum is not very strict and is always drinking or taking drugs, anyway the other day my fella paul threw a ciggie out of the window and Adam picked it up and smoked it. I have also found out that one of Adams mums mates son Jordan who is 14 keeps giving Adam a pull of a spliff. How bad is that?
I've got a cousin Adam and he is 4. His dad is away in prison and his mum is not very strict and is always drinking or taking drugs, anyway the other day my fella paul threw a ciggie out of the window and Adam picked it up and smoked it. I have also found out that one of Adams mums mates son Jordan who is 14 keeps giving Adam a pull of a spliff. How bad is that? oh this is dreadful, he is still a baby at that age !!!!.If that was my cousin I would report the mother to the social services, you don't have to say who you are if you don't want to. What is the world coming to, when my son was 4 he played happy with toys. girls getting preganant at 12. Oh I am so happy that my son, had a proprer childhood like I did. :angry:
xsoftladybugx
07-10-2005, 18:59
This is unbelievable... how can they be under pressure at the age of 4? He probably doesnt even go to school, and if he did how would they know what cigarettes are?!
SoapRach
07-10-2005, 22:42
:eek: That is awful! has it been on yet? anyone see it?
$sTaCeY$
07-10-2005, 23:45
That is unbelievable smoking since the age of 4!!! arent there any laws to stop that
lollymay
08-10-2005, 09:31
its totally wrong to let your kid smoke at 4
I wacthed that porgramme. It was shocking. Why would anyone do all that stuff to your kids, and not realise it?! Come on, he thinks that kdis should be expected to watch at least 5 hours of tele a day! A ten year old?!
:eek: i didn't think it was on until thursday!!!! when was it on abi??
5 hours a day???? how do you manage that??
just a reminder that this is on tonight at 9pm........i think lol
i watcghed this programme and was disgusted!both her kids were smoking! it was awful.
i saw it too. I didn't think the girl was smoking was she???
I can not believe this!!!! Peer pressure at the age of four!!!! 5 a day at the age of four!!! Where was he getting the cigs from at that age? Where are social servies on this??? Disgusting!!!!
I couuldn't agree more. I saw this program last night, and really the mum was trying her best under the guidance of the team employed to make the program. God knows how she could have let the situation get so bad in the first place, but there was a noticable lack of a father figure.
I think that she just let the kids do what they wanted, there was no guidance, no rules.
i saw it too. I didn't think the girl was smoking was she???
yeah i thought she was smoking too :searchme: maybe i misheard i was on msn as well at the time!!
RealityGap
20-10-2005, 15:00
totally and utterly shocking!!!!
the picture they did of what the kids would lokk like was very shocking!
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