Did anyone see Look (Leeds) North last night? They ran a story about a boy, who apparently, had been smoking from the age of 4 years old. Anyway, this boy and his mother were on the show and were being interviewed by Christa (Orangina) Ackroyd where the mother was blaming everybody, but herself for her son's problems. The thing is, she used to be a smoker at the time that her son took up the habbit and she denied that she never gave cigs to her son and blamed strangers in the street for supplying him. Eh?! Totally irresponsible!!

Opinions please..

It's totally the mothers fault IMO. I understand taht peer pressure will exist to even a 10 year old but to be smoking from four leads me to believe that the mother is at fault.

Another problem i have is that i think the lad is enjoying all this media attention. Do you think this will make him stop?? maybe if he takes up boozing too he may get even more attention???

Get it off TV and give the lad/mother the relevant instruction they need. I wont be watching

Originally posted by youwhatref
It's totally the mothers fault IMO. I understand taht peer pressure will exist to even a 10 year old but to be smoking from four leads me to believe that the mother is at fault.

Another problem i have is that i think the lad is enjoying all this media attention. Do you think this will make him stop?? maybe if he takes up boozing too he may get even more attention???

Get it off TV and give the lad/mother the relevant instruction they need. I wont be watching

I totally agree with you.

How come a 4 year old was in the position to get cigs from strangers off the street in the first place? Where was the mother while this was happening and why didn't see the obvious signs like nicotine stains on the fingers.

What does this say about strangers in the street giving a 4 year old cigs?
It gets right up my nose when adults try to cadge a fag off me when I'm in town (cheeky blighters) I won't give scrounging adults one, so now way would I give a small child one!
As for the mother, she beggars belief, how can you not know that your kid is smoking, presumably the little beggar would have been nicking his mothers fags to feed his nicotine addiction, so surely if nothing else, she would have noticed her own smokes disappearing?

But you all forget...parents are never responsible for the actions of their kids.

If the kid gets in a fight, it is becasue of that violent Grand Theft Auto game he played that the parents bought him (but no-one pointed out the 18 rating on).

If he swears, it is because of that film that he saw on DVD when we got him it out from Blockbuster (surely someone at Blockbuster should have explained that 18 means 18 )

If the child should smoke or drink it is because icons in celebrity status do it, not because they do.

And if the kid should blow their face off with a gun, it is becasue Judas Priest recorded a message backwards telling them to do it!

Parents are never to blame for their lack of discipline, attention, and understanding of their child. You should all know that by now!

It's gonna be shown again on This Morning if anybody wants to see it interviews and stuff

if indead it was strangers in the street who gave the four year old fag (which i very much doubt) why was he allowing her four year old to wander the streets alone. Surely a four year old should be accompanied by an adult at all times away from home!

Did the report mention if social services were / are involved with this family? Surely they must be, this women seems to have no parenting skills and is a danger to her child.

Originally posted by intooblivion
It's gonna be shown again on This Morning if anybody wants to see it interviews and stuff

I'll pass, ta. Blood and boil spring to mind from my viewing yesterday.

Well I think its blindingly funny.

No chance of me watching that crap on tv.

Getting fags from strangers in the street ?

lol what would he be doing the street in the first place unshepparded ?

Beakerzoid

At four years old the only person the kid looks up to is his mother. Rembember 4 is very, very young and wont even know who certain celebrities are and look up to them, they will only look up to their parents.
If mum knew she should of took action straight away to stop him. She could make sure he only goes out with her ( as she should anyway being only 4 )and make sure that there are no fags in the house , if she couldn't do that then she should of hid them in the highest cuboard where he wouldn't know.
THE MUM IS ONLY TO BLAME HERE AND I THINK IT'S DISGUSTING!!:rant:

I think beakerzoid was being ironic claire, he didn't believe that the mother wasn't responsible.

Sounds to me like social services should be investigating. Oh and she should be sterilised.

Oh yeh. Jut read it again . hehe. Sorry. :D
I'm just so angry about this subject! :mad:

She should be charged with child crualty!

I'm still in shock over the mother's ignorance. WAKE UP YOU STUPID MARE!!! I'm surprised that Look North ran the story, especially as they seemed to sympathise with the mother and blame the child (made him feel bad about his actions). Hardly the childs fault is it!!! There was no mention of social services, but I won't be surprised if this woman gets a knock on the door some time in the immediate future.

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
I'm still in shock over the mother's ignorance. WAKE UP YOU STUPID MARE

Don't be so polite DD............I would call her something far, far worse.....preferably whilst she is behind bars for child abuse.:rant: :rant:

Originally posted by Cyclone
I think beakerzoid was being ironic claire, he didn't believe that the mother wasn't responsible.

Sounds to me like social services should be investigating. Oh and she should be sterilised.

Heh...cheers for picking up on that. This whole 'blame culture' thing is a particular gripe of mine. As a parent myself I despise other parents who try to blame media/celebs/other people when their kid does wrong.

Originally posted by Beakerzoid
Heh...cheers for picking up on that. This whole 'blame culture' thing is a particular gripe of mine. As a parent myself I despise other parents who try to blame media/celebs/other people when their kid does wrong.

I thought it was quite obvious.

Dont know how she spat her dummy out overe what you said lol :hihi:

Originally posted by cloudybay
Don't be so polite DD............I would call her something far, far worse.....preferably whilst she is behind bars for child abuse.:rant: :rant:

Believe me, I would have used something more fitting, but as this is a family forum I thought it would be best to show some restraint.

venger
I didn't spit my dummy out i was just giving my opinion and when i read the post again I realised that I hadn't read it properly!

No I didn't see the news item. I am appalled but not shocked by it.

When some parents treat young children as if they are miniature adults then we shouldn't be surprised at the outcomes.

Recent report stated that children as young as 5 are being given mobile phones. What the hell do 5 year olds need a mobile for?

Some shops sell full adult style underwear for children as young as 6 ........ here we are talking bra and thongs!!!!!

Though children smoking at 4 is thankfully not common it perfectly illustrates the way things are going.

Parents have huge and ultimate responsibility for their childrens well being. It could just be that some people shouldn't be allowed to have children ........... Mo takes cover

Originally posted by Mo


Parents have huge and ultimate responsibility for their childrens well being. It could just be that some people shouldn't be allowed to have children ........... Mo takes cover

I quite agree with you Mo

Smoking? At four years old? Cripes!

I blame the father...

(just cos the mum's (deservedly) getting the flack and I reckon the dad should too).

Originally posted by chickmonk
Smoking? At four years old? Cripes!

I blame the father...

(just cos the mum's (deservedly) getting the flack and I reckon the dad should too).

What father?

the boy is only nine and he is already a moron,he was on this morning earlier and when phillip schofield asked him if he played any sport he said he used to play rugby but only joined to make another childs life a misery,he packed it in when the other boy left the team:loopy: i think the mother deserves a good slap.

Originally posted by cloudybay
What father?

exactly.

A four year old with 20 Bensons by his bed is bad enough, but how did he light them? "Can I have a bike and some matches for my fifth birthday mummy?" "If tha dunt empty that bleedin' ashtray in thi bedroom, tha'll get nowt Corey-Leigh!!!":suspect:

Well either way its her fault.
lets think about it;

1). She supplies cigs to her son.

2). Strangers supply him...

Why would a four year old be unaccompainied anyway?

Whether the mother is or isn't wholly responsible for her son smoking... He's one of many young children that seem to be free to do as they please...

The attitude amongst some parents seems to be...

Aww... But you can't smack a four-year-old, can you? He doesn't know what he's doing wrong, bless him... or a 6 y.o., or an 8 y.o., or a 10 y.o. ... By which time it's too late to discipline him anyway... he'll rarely be home, he'll be out with others like himself, running riot, causing grief, maybe glue-sniffing or getting drunk and possibly finally graduating to drug-addiction...

But after all, they're only children once, aren't they... You can't smack them for doing what kids do, can you?

Unfortunately no, technically, you can't and neither can the schools... And don't the kids know it!

N.B. The above is a scenario that may apply to some, not all kids...

A spokesman for FORREST has just said that it is a breach of the boy's human rights to stop him from smoking and that it is only the 'nanny state' that is trying to prevent him from what is the most natural thing in the world.

Originally posted by Pseudonym
The attitude amongst some parents seems to be...

Aww... But you can't smack a four-year-old, can you? He doesn't know what he's doing wrong, bless him... or a 6 y.o., or an 8 y.o., or a 10 y.o. ... By which time it's too late to discipline him anyway... he'll rarely be home, he'll be out with others like himself, running riot, causing grief, maybe glue-sniffing or getting drunk and possibly finally graduating to drug-addiction...

But after all, they're only children once, aren't they... You can't smack them for doing what kids do, can you?

Unfortunately no, technically, you can't and neither can the schools... And don't the kids know it!

N.B. The above is a scenario that may apply to some, not all kids...

Bless !! Poor little lamb............somebody stole his Teddy Bear when he was 3...........so he was bound to turn to nicotine for solace................:rant: :rant:

Originally posted by slimsid2000
A spokesman for FORREST has just said that it is a breach of the boy's human rights to stop him from smoking and that it is only the 'nanny state' that is trying to prevent him from what is the most natural thing in the world.

Ugh, PC brigade gets it wrong again! :loopy:

Human rights my ass! Since when does a 4 year old have the right to smoke?! :rant: :loopy:

As for smoking being the "most natural thing in the world" WTF?! And as for "Nanny state", :rolleyes: just WTF is FORREST whoever they are, smoking?! :loopy:

She must be a really good mum if she lets her 4-yr-old roam the streets accepting things from strangers. :mad:

Originally posted by slimsid2000
A spokesman for FORREST has just said that it is a breach of the boy's human rights to stop him from smoking and that it is only the 'nanny state' that is trying to prevent him from what is the most natural thing in the world.

God help this wazzock's kids if he/she has got any. Let's hope they haven't, because I'd hate to breach their human rights by stopping them breaking the other thousands of laws we have in this country.:loopy:

Most natural thing in the world?:loopy:

Wouldn't that be crapping where you happen to be, mating with the nearest female - on the spot - as long as you can kick the doody out of her present mate, grabbing the nearest food supply irrespective of who it belongs to?

Hang on there, this FORREST numpty isn't the parent of about 20 kids on the Longley estate is he/she?:suspect:

Originally posted by Rich
Ugh, PC brigade gets it wrong again! :loopy:

Human rights my ass! Since when does a 4 year old have the right to smoke?! :rant: :loopy:

As for smoking being the "most natural thing in the world" WTF?! And as for "Nanny state", :rolleyes: just WTF is FORREST whoever they are, smoking?! :loopy:

Have FORREST really said it? Or was Sid being sarcastic and pre-empting what they are likely to say?

Originally posted by Patchy
Or was Sid being sarcastic and pre-empting what they are likely to say?

Sid was just being Sid.........................:D

If this is a wind-up from Sid - who is an avid nonsmoker:suspect: - then he has just made me look a complete 'Colin'.:rolleyes:

Thanks pal.:(

Originally posted by saxon51
If this is a wind-up from Sid - who is an avid nonsmoker:suspect: - then he has just made me look a complete 'Colin'.:rolleyes:

Thanks pal.:(

Well you must admit it is the kind of thing FORREST would say.

Originally posted by Patchy
She must be a really good mum if she lets her 4-yr-old roam the streets accepting things from strangers. :mad: no he buys the fags for £2.50 a pack, from someone he does not want to name,that is what he said on TV this morning,

I watched "Honey, we're killing the kids" on BBC3 earlier this evening, which featured this family....all I can say is that the boy was horrible but, then again, there didn't seem to be much in the way of discipline when he used foul language and answered back.....his mother really only has herself to blame for the way he turns out.

Originally posted by Ann_x
I watched "Honey, we're killing the kids" on BBC3 earlier this evening....
Shame sometimes that the title's meant as a warning, rather than suggesting a course of action! ;)

I like to see poor children smoking in the street, it always makes me laugh, especially if they have the nerve to ask, ''ave you gorra light, mate?' with a rising inflection at the end of the sentence adding a hint of menace and grievance. I usually smile beatifically and tell them to 'F*** off', except if they are in a gang. One does not wish to be brought down like some flailing Wildebeest. I hear that in the more cultured cities, like Cambridge and Oxford, the children have turned to pipes for the added air of gravitas.

at least they don't beg you to buy them from the local shop anymore - any teen smoker knows the source of 'cheap' fags o the estate...

If you're paying more than 2.50 a packet you are getting ripped.
:thumbsup:

Originally posted by roughy101
no he buys the fags for £2.50 a pack, from someone he does not want to name,that is what he said on TV this morning,

Well that's alright then :rolleyes:

In reality, WHERE is a four year old getting money from? WHEN is he getting the opportunity to mix with someone his mother doesn't know and WHERE is he actually smoking these cigarettes?

She is a bad mother for allowing this to happen. She should be ashamed of herself, not parading on television for all to see. Wonder how much she's made out of the TV appearances? :suspect:

Originally posted by Andy
Well that's alright then :rolleyes:

In reality, WHERE is a four year old getting money from? WHEN is he getting the opportunity to mix with someone his mother doesn't know and WHERE is he actually smoking these cigarettes?

She is a bad mother for allowing this to happen. She should be ashamed of herself, not parading on television for all to see. Wonder how much she's made out of the TV appearances? :suspect:

Loads probably, Chav TV pays well apparently.

And no, I do not know that from personal experience before anyone starts... I don't even WATCH Trisha et al.

Originally posted by slimsid2000
A spokesman for FORREST has just said that it is a breach of the boy's human rights to stop him from smoking and that it is only the 'nanny state' that is trying to prevent him from what is the most natural thing in the world.

To be fair, the rules surrounding human rights don't always work and thats why political parties such as the conservatives want to scrap it.

For example, a while ago now, a young boy burnt down his school and was suspended, however he had to be reinstated because it was argued that to deprive him for an education would be against our human rights act.

Human rights are there to protect people, not prevent appropiate punishment or prevent little kids smoking themselves to death. However of course it can be argued that human rights are necessary to prevent other injustices.

We believe you, Rich. Of course, neither do I. Er, a friend of mine does though...

Originally posted by Jimbob1989
To be fair, the rules surrounding human rights don't always work and thats why political parties such as the conservatives want to scrap it.

For example, a while ago now, a young boy burnt down his school and was suspended, however he had to be reinstated because it was argued that to deprive him for an education would be against our human rights act.

Human rights are there to protect people, not prevent appropiate punishment or prevent little kids smoking themselves to death. However of course it can be argued that human rights are necessary to prevent other injustices.

in that example though it's correct, it would be already illegal under existing legislation anyway.
However he can receive a perfectly good (well, legally adequate) education in a young offenders institue.

Originally posted by Jimbob1989
To be fair, the rules surrounding human rights don't always work and thats why political parties such as the conservatives want to scrap it.

For example, a while ago now, a young boy burnt down his school and was suspended, however he had to be reinstated because it was argued that to deprive him for an education would be against our human rights act.

Human rights are there to protect people, not prevent appropiate punishment or prevent little kids smoking themselves to death. However of course it can be argued that human rights are necessary to prevent other injustices.

Shame it was a wind up Jimbob...........as I previously suggested !!:thumbsup:

Originally posted by Andy
Well that's alright then :rolleyes:

In reality, WHERE is a four year old getting money from? WHEN is he getting the opportunity to mix with someone his mother doesn't know and WHERE is he actually smoking these cigarettes?

She is a bad mother for allowing this to happen. She should be ashamed of herself, not parading on television for all to see. Wonder how much she's made out of the TV appearances? :suspect: He was allegedly four years old when he first started smoking....he's 10 now, and he is now getting the ciggies for £2.50 from a friend....when he was four, he was probably nicking his mother's fags....or, more worryingly, she was letting him smoke the ones she had already started!

Originally posted by timo
We believe you, Rich. Of course, neither do I. Er, a friend of mine does though...

And is this "friend" also called Timo? :D :lol:

You've been rumbled mate..

Rich,
Good Lord! You are better than Inspector Morse!

Originally posted by cloudybay
Shame it was a wind up Jimbob...........as I previously suggested !!:thumbsup:

:hihi: I know, just wanted to show off what I learn in politics today :P

In reality, WHERE is a four year old getting money from? WHEN is he getting the opportunity to mix with someone his mother doesn't know and WHERE is he actually smoking these cigarettes?

have to totally agree - when is a 4 year old left unsupervised long enough to smoke a cigarette?

her supervision is very lax if that is the case

He was proberly bored and had nothing to do.Thats the in saying at the moment.gets right on my tits!