Sarah’s news review on 3rd May 2009

Article #1

Get this: Smokers stink
(The Sunday Times, ‘Think’ Pg 32, 3rd May 2009)
 
GP Topic/Related Theme:
Youth Delinquency
 
Summary:
 
The article discusses smoking trends among teenagers that have been observed to be increasing. In fact, the number of teenagers caught smoking last year ‘broke the record’. It presents statistics on teenage smoking, discusses the reasons attributing to why they light up, as well as criticises the effectiveness of policies and campaigns implemented by the government to deter smoking. 
 
Trends/Statistics (According to the Health Sciences Authority [HSA]):
 
- 2008: 6671 youth under eighteenwere caught by offcers of the HSA; this figure broke the record
- The figures in 2008 was triple the number booked in 1998, hence showing the increase.
 
Reasons Cited as to Why Teenagers Smoke:
 
- Defiance of authority
- Peer pressure
- Misplaced sense of glamour smoking gives
 
* All this stems from youth’s conceit of being too dismissive of the future.
 
Campaigns and Policies Implemented by S’porean Government:

- 2009: Health Promotion Board (HPB) is aiming to focus on the short-term perks or incentives of not smoking, to encourage Singaporeans to avoid it.
Eg. Looking good, staying healthy, cutting down on expenses (OWN INPUT: as cigarettes are expensive goods, especially in this time of crisis)
 
- First-time offenders are made to watch ‘motivational videos’.
Previously, they would be made to pay up the composition fine of $30, but this was waived.
 
- Campaigns adopt the approach of scare tactics by featuring ‘gory images of blackened lungs’ to discourage people from smoking.
 
Importance:
 
- This article is important as it gives insight on the taboo topic of youths lighting up. The statistics here are useful when we want to quote statistics on youth delinquency that is commonly associated with smoking.
- It also makes us question if there is an erosion of morals among youths today, or an increasing prevalence of social ills like idleness that results in them smoking. The figures are high and have been noted to be increasing. It is also important to note that the figures reflect the teens that were caught. In reality, there are more youths that smoke, but managed to evade being caught.
- In my opinion, the punishments set are not sufficient enough in deterring teenagers from smoking. For instance, I echo the writer’s sentiments of the composition fines of $30 being too low. Smokers are people (pardon me if I’m mistaken) that are willing to spend approximately $300 a month on cigarettes, assuming they smoke a pack daily. This may translate to the rising trends of youth smoking. It is heartening to know that HPB is reviewing the effectiveness of the new rule, although it would not impose heavier fines for another 6 months.
 
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Article #2
 
Headline: Hackers, spammers exploiting flu fears (The Sunday Times, ‘Prime’ Pg 10, 3rd May 2009)
Sub-headline: Some infect users’ PC with viruses that seal data; others peddle fake drugs online
 
By Chua Hian Hou
 
GP Theme/Related Topic:
Crime
Cyber Crime
 
Summary:
 
Cyber-criminals have been riding the new wave of swine flu paranoia by exploiting the average Internet users’ worry. They exploit the fears and seize the chance to infect computers as well as peddle ‘dodgy flu medication’ online.
 
Cyber Attacks
 
1) Infect users’ computers with a computer virus
Virus writers create innocuous-looking documents that go under the pretext of news articles about the outbreak. In reality, there are are viruses embedded within these files that will infect the users’ computers when opened.
 
2) Hawk fake medicine
 
Risks:
 
- Having personal information (E.G. credit-card information) stolen
- Payment for drugs that are never delivered
 
Common Feature/Trend Observed Among Cyber Criminals:
 
- Fond of exploiting any ‘high-media event’ or issues that is resulting in great national hype to push their wares
 
Trends:
 
- Swine flu-related spam (E.G. With headings like “Madonna caught swine flu!”) account for 2% of all spam globally, up from zero a few days back.
 
A Mcafee representative says to “stay vigilant and stay safe”.
 
Importance:
 
This article sheds additional insight on how the Internet can be misused in such a manner that it becomes a menace to society and has adverse effects. It also contains useful statistics and facts to substantiate our stands in media/technology or Internet themed General Paper (GP) essays.
 
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Article #3
 
Many worry about families back home (The Sunday Times, ‘Prime’ Pg 4, 3rd May 2009)
 
GP Topic/Related Theme:
Epidemics/Pandemics – Swine Flu
Health
 
Summary:
 
While most publications are largely focusing on the spread of the illnesses, this article opts to show us another dimension the swine flu pandemic. It attempts to mirror the current situation and plights faced by Mexicans residing in Singapore. It follows the story of a Mexican housewife residing in Singapore, Ruth Gustavo, 40 and her family as they face the challenges brought to them as a result of the flu.
 
Background:
 
1) Mexico is the ‘epicentre of the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.
2) 443 confirmed cases of infection
3) 101 deaths (of which 16 are confirmed to be related to the virus)
4) 400-strong Mexican community in Singapore; they now receive daily e-mail updates on the flu situation from the Mexican embassy.
 
IMPACTS!:
 
1) Social Impacts:
 
- Mexicans are now stereotyped to have the swine flu, just because the flu allegedly came form Mexico.
- As such, they are ‘shunned’ on the counts of their Mexican nationality
- In school, some Mexican children have been the butt of jokes. For instance, the two teenage daughters of Mrs Cristina Velasquez, who are studying in United World College, have been asked ”if they have the flu because they’re Mexicans”.
- Forced to make change of plans to return home
- Mexican community is upset that the disease had been termed “Mexican flu” by some countries and the media
 
2) Political:
 
- Mexicans now have to apply for a visa to travel to Singapore.
 
Importance:
 
1) It is important to understand the effects of an epidemic, and the negative impacts it can cause on people’s lives, hence affecting their quality of life/standard of living.