Child asking for lighter

[netherlee]

Slightly sensitive issue but today I was out for my lunch break and there were lots of pupils from the local secondary of that area (which is not my DCs or one I am connected to in any way). Generally they are nice kids though every school has its extremes of course. Anyway, today one girl (14 or thereabouts, definitely under 18) casually asked if I had a lighter. I just said no and moved on, but it worried me someone this age would do this.

Im not sure what I should do, especially as I am not connected to that school in any way, just I genuinely care about childrens safety and the school have high standards of work and discipline. Is it just none of my business or should I inform the school?

[AMumInScotland]

I'm not sure what exactly you could tell the school. "One of your girls smokes"? I'd guess more than one 14yo in the school will be a smoker. Unfortunate, but its hardly uncommon.

[netherlee]

Sadly right amuminscotland, not that it makes it OK of course. Tricky one, but I would be horrified if it were my DC.

[cory]

When I was a teen in Sweden there was a smokers' corner in the playground in secondary: anyone who had turned 15 could smoke there if they had a permission slip from their parents. Now I really do not think this was a good idea, and it has been quietly buried since- but at least it does show that things weren't so different in the good old days.

[troisgarcons]

You can inform but they cant do anything.

[marriedinwhite]

I doubt they will be bothered. A brat child at my dd's old school sat in lessons playing with a lighter last year and nothing was done.