London for ever - 25

We cut off Leicester Square  and, through a maze of lanes, we hit the Trafalgar Square. We stopped at the center of the huge square, sitting on the edge of an imposing square fountain, whose tall, wide bushes at moments tickled the mouths of the four mighty stone lions that majestic delimited it at its four corners.

 The sky was cloudy and the warm sunshine dominated the great shining and cheerful square that day, as I had never seen before. Along the benches, arranged at regular intervals throughout its perimeter, some retirees were lovingly launched to hungry doves, crumbling bread crumbs or corn seeds, these bought in small bags, directly on the spot, by some street vendors.

In the sun, the many badges that Nancy, as I had found was named the pretty Irish girl, shone on the faces of his black leather jacket. In addition to the rose he had bought shortly before, there was one that depicted a sort of american-style jolly with a red tongue out; Others reported slogans of youthful movements that were in their favor. One in particular,  struck me more than any other, because it depicted a green leaflet asking for "legalize marijuana".

"Do you like to smoke?" He asked me, looking me half-eyed.

 To my assenting  answer she gave me a joint already  packed! It had a truncated-conical appearance, tapered and solid, close to the base, wider on top; it had been packaged with three cigarette papers; The base was closed by a cardboard filter; At the top it had been folded inside to prevent the contents from falling out ; His manufacturer, whoever he was, had been very skilled.

- "What is it?" I asked, smelling it.
- "It's a black Pakistani ", he replied prompting his lighter. - "It comes from Kashmir,  advanced from a party last night. It's very good, smoke it quietly! "

With a burst  of laughs I realized she was right. Smoked in  the morning, furthermore!

- "You have more badges than   the shop!" I said laughing, passing over the joint and continuing to look at his pins. - "And what is this ?! I immediately added, intrigued by a banal white brooch on which a German-language spelling out I had not even noticed before. There was  written: "Das Mütterrecht".

"Let me think about it," she said, concentrating on a complex response. - "It is the opposite of patriarchy." And she smiled, aware and amused by her strange explanation.
She continued after a further moment of reflection: - "Patriarchy is our social order, centered on the father's figure, while in the  Matriarchy the mother is the predominant social figure. 'Das Muterrecht' is to indicate a social and legal system that governed the life organized before the classics of Greece. We do not know exactly when, but before the gods we know establish their power in the world, there was another authority and another law: the natural rules  of life. This is in short the Matriarchate. "

She paused as if to realize whether I was following her speech or perhaps to give me a way to interact.

.- "Go ahead," I said, passing the joint again, "I'm following you with great interest."

25. to be continued...

How to Make a Dessert in a Jar

One of the latest food trends is dessert in a jar.  These are simple to create and it’s always more about the presentation than the actual dessert.  You can turn almost anything into a dessert in a jar.  Some desserts will be baked right in the jar and others will be more of a composed dessert, kind of like a trifle.  Try some of these at your next get together and enjoy the compliments that roll in.

1. Strawberry Shortcake The beauty of this dessert is that you can make it ahead and screw the lids onto the jars and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.  Then pack it up for a picnic and eat it within 2 to 3 hours.  Start by baking a yellow cake.  Once cooled you can crumble the cake up into big chunks.  Press some yellow cake into the bottom of 4- quart sized canning jars.  In a bowl mix together 1 can of vanilla frosting with 8 ounces of whipped topping.  Add a layer of the whipped topping mixture to the jars.  For the third layer add some sliced strawberries.  Repeat the layers one more time or until the jar is full and put the lid on.
2. Basil Strawberry Lemonade Granitas Kind of like a slushy all grown up, the granita is a wonderful way to cool off on a warm summer day.  Create a simple syrup with 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar and a handful of basil leaves.  Cook the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and remove from the heat and allow syrup to cool.  When the syrup has cooled remove the basil leaves.  Meanwhile, in a food processor blend together 4 cups of sliced and hulled strawberries, and the juice and zest of 2 lemons.  Pulse this mixture together until smooth.  Add in the cooled simple syrup and mix together.  Pour mixture into 10- 8 ounce jars about three quarters full.  Place jars in the freezer covered loosely.  After 30 minutes scrape down the sides of the jar and place back in the freezer.  Repeat the scraping process after another 90 minutes in the freezer.  Now freeze for at least 3 hours.  When you are ready to serve, stir the mixture with a fork again.
3. Cherry pie Take a store bought refrigerated pie crust (or make your own) and let it come to room temperature according to package directions.  Unroll the crust and cut out 4-6 inch circles of dough.  Use a saucer as a guide when cutting.  Gently slide the crust into the jars.  The crust should be about ½ inch from the rim of the jar.  Place ½ cup of cherry pie filling into the jars. (This can be canned or your own recipe.)  Using the lid of the jar cut out 4 smaller circles of dough to act as the top crust.  Gently press the smaller circle of crust on top of filling and using your fingers or a fork press the two edges of the crusts together to seal.  Brush the top crust with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.  Cut a hole in the top crust to act as a vent.  You can put the lids on the jars now and freeze them for up to 3 weeks.  Otherwise, bake the jars without the lids for 40 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees F.  If you want to bake one straight from the freezer add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
4. Double Decker Cupcakes   Have the kids help you with this simple to do dessert.  Take a standard cupcake to the next level.  Bake off some cupcakes (cupcake papers needed) and allow them to cool completely.  Slice the cupcakes in half and put the first half in the bottom of the jar.  To make it easier to handle put some frosting in a zip top bag and cut a little hole in the corner to create a piping bag.  Squirt some frosting on top of the first half and press the other half into the jar.  Add more frosting and another half of a cupcake.  End with frosting and some sprinkles and you have a beautiful cupcake in a jar.  Tie a disposable spoon to the jar with a pretty ribbon and you have a lovely dessert for your next party.
5. Chocolate trifle Ever feel like you don’t get every layer of a trifle when you dip into that big bowl?  Now you will because each jar is its own dessert.  Bake a batch of brownies and allow them to cool.  Cut them up into bite-sized pieces.  Mix up a box of chocolate pudding and defrost some frozen whipped topping.  Hull and slice a pint of strawberries.  Layer in some brownie bites, pudding, whipped topping and sliced strawberries and repeat until you reach the top of the jar.  Put the lids on and refrigerate until party time.  This desert is best when eaten the same day.

P. S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Suzanne Cullen   I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.aupair.org/blog/how-to-make-a-dessert-in-a-jar/

How to Teach a Toddler Spanish

Young children tend to learn a second language most easily when they’re learning the basic rules of their primary language, making it a wise idea for parents with hopes of raising bilingual progeny to start teaching their children early. The benefits of speaking two languages fluently are countless, from increased academic performance and influencing college admissions to boosting the likelihood of landing a choice job once they’ve entered adulthood. Helping your children to gain second language skills is a great way to give them a competitive edge early in life and increase their appreciation for other cultures, with Spanish being a particularly useful choice in today’s world. As the second most studied language in the world, Spanish is becoming increasingly more common with each passing year. Teaching your toddler to speak Spanish as he’s honing his English skills is easier than you might think; here are a few hints and tips to turn your little one into a bilingual bebé.

• Learn Spanish Yourself – It’s exponentially more difficult to teach your child Spanish if you have no grasp of the language yourself, so take the time to familiarize yourself with vocabulary and verb conjugation. Without basic grammatical knowledge, you’ll have no way of hearing any mistakes in your child’s speech and correcting them. It’s not necessary to speak Spanish as if it was your native tongue, but understanding how to structure a sentence and knowing what common words mean is essential.
• Books, Toys, and Entertainment – There are an abundance of books, toys, movies, and television shows directed solely at primarily English-speaking toddlers to help them develop Spanish skills. Take advantage of these great tools, as they’ll help your child to become fluent in a second language while having fun. One reason shows like Dora the Explorer are so wildly popular with toddlers and their parents is because they teach basic Spanish vocabulary, turning what could be vapid television time into a learning experience.
• Music is the Universal Language – Kids love to sing and learn new songs. Simple Spanish children’s songs, especially those that are easily translated into English for comparative purposes, are powerful tools for helping kids grasp concepts, vocabulary, pronunciation, and accents in the Spanish language. There are a wide variety of CD’s and legal MP3 downloads that will bolster your children’s Spanish music collection; integrating those songs with your child’s English favorites can be quite effective in supplementing their growing fluency.
• Keep Your Expectations Realistic – No matter how hard you work at teaching your toddler a second language, he will only be able to grasp it to a certain level. Remember that your child’s command of any language is limited during the toddler years, and that he’s still trying to learn the fundamentals of speech to begin with. Be patient, and do not get frustrated when he’s not ready for a spot on Telemundo before he starts preschool.
• Hold Off on Formal Lessons – Formal Spanish lessons can be incredibly effective, but they’re not a great choice for toddlers. At this age any classroom setting is likely to be stifling and boring to enthusiastic, energetic little ones. Save the lessons for later, and focus on giving your child the basic skills he needs to develop his ability to speak a second language at home. If you can find a Spanish playgroup, however, taking part is sure to boost your child’s language development.
• Integrate Spanish into Everyday Life – Rather than setting a specific period of the day aside for “Spanish practice,” try to integrate both languages into your everyday lives. Immersion is a very effective tactic for helping language scholars of any age develop their skills, so hiring a nanny or other childcare provider that speaks Spanish fluently can increase your toddler’s comprehension by leaps and bounds. Immersion can be somewhat difficult if you’re not confident in your own Spanish language skills, so make sure that you continue to work on developing them whenever possible, as well.

Giving your child the gift of education, whether in the form of second language skills, early reading, or a concentration on music lessons for pint-sized prodigies, is one of the best things that you can do for him. Keep in mind, however, that toddlers learn about the world around them and how it works primarily through explorative play; insisting that they spend these formative years in a rigid classroom or instructional environment to the exclusion of play could be counterproductive. Remember also that you know your child best; adapt your teaching style to suit his needs, tailoring your approach to his abilities and skill level. With a bit of effort and a lot of patience, he’ll be speaking Spanish as confidently as he speaks English.
 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by  Martina Keyhell. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.becomeananny.com/blog/how-to-teach-a-toddler-spanish/

10 Spanish Phrases Parents Must Learn to Communicate with Their Bilingual Nanny

As an increasing number of workers in the private childcare industry are bilingual, many parents are discovering a need to become passably fluent in Spanish themselves in the interest of simplifying communication. Additionally, learning a bit of Spanish allows parents to reinforce any second language skills that they’ve acquired from time spent with their predominantly-Spanish speaking nanny. If your childcare provider’s Spanish language skills are much stronger than her English ones, here are 10 phrases that can help everyday communication a bit easier.

1. “Repita, por favor.” – Whether you’re speaking Spanish with your nanny and her speed in her native tongue makes it difficult for you to comprehend what she’s saying, or her accent and pronunciation of a particular English word is hard to make out, there will inevitably come a time when one of you will have to ask the other to “Repeat, please.”
2. “Yo no entiendo.” – Sometimes one of you will have to say, “I don’t understand,” in acknowledgment of a difficulty in communicating or understanding one another’s intentions. This simple phrase can help to prevent a number of misconceptions or misunderstandings before they start.
3. “Me olvidé’ – Harried working parents with tight schedules and little downtime can be justifiably absentminded from time to time. Letting your nanny know that something slipped your mind by using the Spanish equivalent of “I forgot,” especially if you’ve forgotten something important, is a great way to get her attention and be sure that she understands your flub completely.
4. “¿Entiende usted?” – Even if your nanny is strongly bilingual, learning the intricacies and similes of a second language is sometimes tough. Ensuring that she understands her instructions or responsibilities for the day by using her native language to ask the question can help stave off mishaps born from miscommunications.
5. “¡Escríbalo, Por Favor!” – When pronunciation is garbled or difficult to make out, being able to read what your nanny is trying to say can be very beneficial. If you’re still having trouble deciphering an unfamiliar word after she’s written it down, being able to see the exact spelling can help you look the word up in a Spanish to English dictionary or on an online translating service.
6. “Regreso En Un Momentito.” – Quick trips to run errands or even popping into the next room for a bit still require some kind of explanation to your kids’ caregiver; if you expect to return momentarily, letting your nanny know that you’ll “be right back” or being able to understand the phrase when she uses it can be helpful.
7. “Estoy Buscando A Juan” – Kids like to slip away to hide in strange places and to generally strike terror in the hearts of their caregivers and parents. Being able to quickly and confidently share news that you’re looking for a particular child can help you and your nanny speed the process and find the tiny escapee.
8. “¿Qué haces?” – Every person, regardless of culture or language, has their own way of accomplishing certain tasks. If your nanny’s way is different from your own and you’re curious, or vice versa, being able to ask “what are you doing” without struggle can help you both understand each other.
9. “¿Qué Quiere Decir ‘___’ En Inglés?” – Learning Spanish is likely to be just as difficult for you as learning English was for your nanny, so you’re sure to have questions from time to time about translations and proper usage. “How do I say ____ in English?” is the quickest way to ask your nanny for help in this area.
10. “¿Cómo Se llama a Esto En Español?” – Just as you’ll need to know how to translate Spanish words into English, you’ll also need to be able to do the opposite. Asking how to say something in Spanish when you have doubts is an effective way of enlisting the help of your nanny and polishing your second language skills.

Investing in a Spanish to English dictionary, phrase book, or Smartphone app can help you navigate conversational obstacle courses with your bilingual nanny, as the needs and demands of your individual household will likely create the need to refer back to such aides. Keep in mind that speaking more slowly might help your nanny understand you better, but increasing your volume does absolutely nothing productive unless she’s also hard of hearing. Maintain a casual, conversational tone to avoid further misunderstandings or create the impression that you’re angry.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by  Sarah Tucker. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

/http://www.4nannies.com/blog/10-spanish-phrases-parents-must-learn-to-communicate-with-their-bilingual-nanny/

10 Clothing Basics to Buy for a Mix and Match Kid’s Wardrobe

Back to school time is the prime time to go through your child’s existing wardrobe and figure out what still fits and what’s no longer an option. It’s also the perfect time to clean out the closets and the drawers and get ready to add some new and fun pieces to her wardrobe.  Before you invest in new clothes, though, take inventory of what your child still has that fits.  Either take pictures of these pieces or make yourself a list prior to going shopping so you don’t double up on the same items.  To maximize her wardrobe, you will want to buy pieces that coordinate with the ones that she already has.

1. Jeans are a must.  Jeans are a wardrobe staple that match just about everything, so having a few pairs on hand is never a bad thing. Colored jeans are all the rage right now, so make sure to pick up at least one pair of those.  Stick to a few pairs of basic blue jeans as well so that they can be mixed and matched with tops.
2. Leggings are great for girls. For girls, leggings are a must wear item.  They can be paired with a cute dress or a long shirt, or they can be worn under a shorter skirt.  Choose basic colors like navy, black, and white when buying leggings so that you can mix and match them easily.
3. A basic white shirt goes with everything.  For both boys and girls, buying a basic white shirt is a closet staple. The white shirt doesn’t have to be a plain t-shirt though, and you can buy girls a pretty blouse and boys a white button-down or polo.  Make sure to use bleach when you wash these because a bright white shirt looks great, but a dingy gray one does not.
4. Underwear and socks are very important.  As kids grow it’s often overlooked if they need bigger underwear or new socks.  See how your child’s are fitting and assess if she needs some new ones.
5. A jacket or hoodie will allow kids to layer.  Fall is an especially tricky time to dress for the weather since it frequently changes throughout the day, so putting your kids in layers will help them stay comfortable all day long.  If it’s a little cool in the morning when he walks to school a jacket or hoodie will keep him warm, but you don’t want to dress him in a sweatshirt because by afternoon it will have warmed up and he will be hot.  Sometimes the air conditioning in schools can seem too cold to some so having a way to keep the chill off will make your child more comfortable.
6. Tennis shoes are a must for gym class.  Kids don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest brand name shoes, but they do need shoes that fit well and allow them to move quickly with ease.  Whatever your budget, it’s important that the shoes fit and support her growing feet.
7. Boys will need a pair of nicer slacks.  Sometimes schools will take the kids on a field trip to see a play or musical and ask that they dress up for the event.  Having a pair of dress slacks that can be paired with the basic white shirt that you’ve already bought will give them an easy option when they need to look a little nicer.
8. Girls may need a dress.  This dress does not have to be overly frilly and full of ruffles, but it shouldn’t be too casual either.  Find something comfortable that would be age appropriate for your girl.
9. Dress shoes are needed.  To go with the boys’ dress pants and with the girls’ dress a pair of dress shoes is needed.  Unlike the tennis shoes that will most likely be worn almost every day, the dress shoes can be inexpensive if they aren’t going to be worn frequently.  Buy something very basic, like a black or brown shoe that can be worn with most colors.
10. A winter coat is a must in most climates.  Some areas of the country will use this more often than others, but most areas will need a winter coat at some point during the year.  How heavy the coat is will be determined by where you live.  If you have almost six months of winter, like in the Midwest and Northern states, you will want to get a coat that is heavy or has several separate layers. Warmer climates may only need a light parka.

Buying clothes in basic colors can extend her wardrobe and increase her ability to mix and match her clothes.  Adding a hoodie to an outfit will change the entire look of an outfit.  Having shirts that can be worn with jeans, leggings, or a skirt will give her the versatility to make different looks throughout the year.  While these are just the basics, you should also plan to pick up a few special items for picture day or other times when she wants to look especially nice.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Tina Marconi.  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:


http://www.babysitters.net/blog/10-clothing-basics-to-buy-for-a-mix-and-match-kid%E2%80%99s-wardrobe/

Mothers of Sardinia

Where do you leave for

flowers of the world

past and future progeny

of Sardinia?

Far, 

where the wind does not sound

the sweet song 

of your own language;

too far to love you

marvelous Sardinian offspring!

Whom will you be singing to

the pure music of your laugh?

Whom will you be dancing for

the erotic dance

beloved bodies

you Mothers of Sardinia?

What a shame

to see you so far

serving strange people

who don't speak to you

but to give you orders?

You, who had been sitting

in the past long time

in the throne of power

shall I see you again,

Eleonore's daughters,

free on a freed country?

I wish I could only hear you

still singing

to a little child 

an ancient lullaby.

In Villasor of Sardinia

the 25th of June 1983

Great Courage but Strengthless

The oldest mother in the world is bound to die.
Rajo Devi Lohan comes from India, Haryana State, north of Dehli.
She's famous in the world to be the courageous woman who birth to a child at the age of 69 (the oldest mother in the world as matter of fact) after doing a IVF treatment in a controversial indian clinic.
But nobody told her the risks connected to such a treatment of increasing fertility and now she's too weak to look after his eihteen months child.
Doctors fear the same could happen to another indian woman who is the oldest mother of a triplets.
Read more on this on DM on line

Pictured: world's oldest mother, 70, lies dying with baby at her side after risking her life to beat stigma of being barren

By Mail Foreign Service

The world's oldest mother is dying just 18 months after giving birth at the age of 70.

Rajo Devi Lohan says she is too weak to recover from complications after her IVF pregnancy.

News about her condition came as it emerged that a 66-year-old has become the oldest woman in the world to have triplets.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1286412/Worlds-oldest-mother-Rajo-Devi-Lohan-reveals-dying.html#ixzz0quAWrPoE

Nobody more than a mother

Nobody can love somebody more than a mother.
The statement has found a confirmation in the happy story of a heart-swap woman who has carried on her pregnancy despite the doctors had predicted an high risk for her life!
Best wishes for a long and happy life to the new mum and her wonderful son!

Read more on this on DM on line news by the link below:
Heart-swap mother's joy after having 'miracle' baby that doctors said would kill her

By Lucy Laing


As Rebecca Radford lay recovering from a heart transplant after being given only two weeks to live, she was told she would never be a mother.

She had had the operation at the age of only 23, but doctors had also given her some devastating news - the strain of any pregnancy would be too much for her new heart.

Then in May last year, only two years after her transplant, she discovered she was pregnant. If she chose to carry on with it she risked her new heart failing - which could cost her her life.

She said: 'I am just so grateful to the family who donated my heart. It has saved one life and created another too.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1286303/Heart-swap-mothers-joy-having-miracle-baby-doctors-said-kill-her.html

I do my homework too

It's very fascinating and heartbreaking Jeremy's Keeling's story, first abandoned by his mother, and ready to fill the solitude of a young orang-utan also discharged by her mother.

Read the whole story on DM on line by JEREMY KEELING himself

Scarred by his traumatic childhood, Jeremy Keeling found solace working with exotic animals. Now, in his enchanting and touching book, he reveals how he became a ‘mother’ to an abandoned baby orang-utan called Amy - and how she healed his broken heart...

The car climbed the steep bank at high speed and then rolled – nose to tail – back on to the motorway hard shoulder, the impact ripping the roof and shattering windows. Everything went black. I suffered head injuries, as did Amy, the one-year-old orang-utan I had rescued after her mother abandoned her.

Luckily, my girlfriend Meryl was unscathed and my son Jamie escaped with bruising. A policeman, arriving at the scene, crawled into the mangled wreck from the rear and saw the back of my blood-soaked head. He noticed a large, hairy hand reach out and wrap itself around my head, cradling it. I had once saved Amy. And now she would not let me go.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1286101/JEREMY-KEELING-The-orangutan-saved-life.html#ixzz0qi9xShmO

40 a day and he's just two

It seems unbelievable but the boy shown while smoking in the picture is only two and has a tremendous habit: he smokes 40 cigarettes a day.
His name is Ardi Rizal, comes from Indonesia and is only two year old.
His mother has tried to convince him to stop but eventually he screams desperately and starts banging his head on the wall until he gets what he wants: 40 cigarettes of a special blend of tobacco which costs his family more than £ 3 a day.
Smoke's consummers, between teenagers are strongly increasing in Indonesia, the third tobacco consummer in the world.
Read more on DM on line:

Too unfit to run: Two-year-old who smokes 40 cigarettes a day puffs away on a toy truck

By Mail Foreign Service

Taking a deep drag on his cigarette while resting on the steering wheel of his truck, he looks like a parody of a middle-aged lorry driver.

But the image covers up a much more disturbing truth: At just the tender age of two, Ardi Rizal's health has been so ruined by his 40-a-day habit that he now struggles to move by himself.

The four-stone Indonesia toddler is certainly far too unfit to run around with other children - and his condition is set to rapidly deteriorate.

But, despite local officials' offer to buy the Rizal family a new car if the boy quits, his parents feel unable to stop him because he throws massive tantrums if they don't indulge him.

His mother, Diana, 26, wept: 'He's totally addicted. If he doesn't get cigarettes, he gets angry and screams and batters his head against the wall. He tells me he feels dizzy and sick.'

Ardi will smoke only one brand and his habit costs his parents £3.78 a day in Musi Banyuasin, in Indonesia's South Sumatra province.

But in spite of this, his fishmonger father Mohammed, 30, said: 'He looks pretty healthy to me. I don't see the problem.'

Ardi's youth is the extreme of a disturbing trend. Data from the Central Statistics Agency showed 25 per cent of Indonesian children aged three to 15 have tried cigarettes, with 3.2 per cent of those active smokers.

The percentage of five to nine year olds lighting up increased from 0.4 per cent in 2001 to 2.8 per cent in 2004, the agency reported.

A video of a four-year-old Indonesian boy blowing smoke rings appeared briefly on YouTube in March, prompting outrage before it was removed from the site.

Child advocates are speaking out about the health damage to children from second-hand smoke, and the growing pressure on them to smoke in a country where one-third of the population uses tobacco and single cigarettes can be bought for a few cents.

Seto Mulyadi, chairman of Indonesia's child protection commission, blames the increase on aggressive advertising and parents who are smokers.

'A law to protect children and passive smokers should be introduced immediately in this country,' he said.

A health law passed in 2009 formally recognizes that smoking is addictive, and an anti-smoking coalition is pushing for tighter restrictions on smoking in public places, advertising bans and bigger health warnings on cigarette packages.

But a bill on tobacco control has been stalled because of opposition from the tobacco industry.

The bill would ban cigarette advertising and sponsorship, prohibit smoking in public, and add graphic images to packaging.

Benny Wahyudi, a senior official at the Industry Ministry, said the government had initiated a plan to try to limit the number of smokers, including dropping production to 240 billion cigarettes this year, from 245 billion in 2009.

'The government is aware of the impact of smoking on health and has taken efforts, including lowering cigarette production, increasing its tax and limiting smoking areas,' he said.

Mr Mulyadi said a ban on advertising is key to putting the brakes on child and teen smoking.

'If cigarette advertising is not banned, there will be more kids whose lives are threatened because of smoking,' he said.

Ubiquitous advertising hit a bump last month when a cigarette company was forced to withdraw its sponsorship of pop star Kelly Clarkson's concert following protests from fans and anti-tobacco groups.

However, imposing a non-smoking message will be difficult in Indonesia, the world's third-largest tobacco consumer.

Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, a member of the National Commission of Tobacco Control, said Indonesia must also address the social conditions that lead to smoking, such as family influence and peer pressure.

'The promotion of health has to be integrated down to the smallest units in our society, from public health centres and local health care centres to the family,' he was quoted as saying by the Jakarta Globe on Friday.

Health Minister Endang Sedyaningsih conceded turning young people off smoking will be difficult in a country where it is perceived as positive because cigarette companies sponsor everything from scholarships to sporting events.

'This is the challenge we face in protecting youth from the dangers of smoking,' she said in a statement on the ministry's website.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281538/Smoking-year-old-Ardi-Rizal-40-cigarettes-day.html#ixzz0p6YVoUKc

And next only telegenics

May be they were afraid you might forget your purse at home; or sometimes you might be hiding some stuff under large wearing clothes; or finally they have have a lot of unsold fashon dresses; whatever else could be the reason why, Tesco Supermarket in Cardiff has unveiled a dress code banning customers who go shopping wearing pyjamas or being barefoot. And next? Only people who look telegenic, of course!!!

But are them giving their stuff away for nothing?

Know more by Luke Salkeld on Daily Mirror on-line

Unwelcome: Elaine Carmody was asked to leave a Tesco store in Cardiff because she was wearing pyjamas
It’s probably not the first choice of attire one would choose for a weekly shopping trip down at the local store.
But those who like to get the groceries in their pyjamas should be aware they will be barred at a Tesco superstore, which is the first in Britain to introduce a dress code.
Wandering the aisles in your dressing gown or going barefoot is just not acceptable, according to store policy which is outlined on posters put up at the entrance.
The notices state: ‘To avoid causing embarrassment to others we ask that our customers are appropriately dressed when visiting our store (footwear must be worn at all times and no nightwear is permitted).’
While the dress code would appear to be common sense to the majority of shoppers, Tesco staff at St Mellons, Cardiff, said they were forced to put up the posters.
This is because increasing numbers of young women have taken to shopping in their nightwear after dropping their children off at school in the morning.
A store spokesman said: ‘We do not have a strict dress code but we don't want people shopping in their nightwear in case it offends other customers.
‘We're not a nightclub with a strict dress code, and jeans and trainers are of course more than welcome.
‘We do, however, request that customers do not shop in their PJs or nightgowns.
'This is to avoid causing offence or embarrassment.’

The spokesman said they were ‘unaware’ of any other Tesco store in the UK putting up similar signs to ban nightwear.
Mother-of-two Elaine Carmody, 24, was one of the first yesterday to be marched out of Tesco by a security guard for wearing her pyjamas in store.
She said: 'I just don't understand it. I go in other shops in my pyjamas and they don't say anything.
'You used to always be allowed in Tescos. But not now, it is ridiculous and stupid. I've got lovely pairs of pyjamas, with bears and penguins on them. I've worn my best ones today, just so I look tidy.'

Standards: The store in St Mellons has introduced the dress code to avoid offence among other customers
Ms Carmody was told to abandon her trolley in the aisle and leave the store. She was escorted off the premises by a security guard.
'I walked in with my trolley and the security guard came over and told me to leave,' said she said.
'He said it offends people. But I've never seen anyone offended.'
Ms Carmody admitted she is often still in pyjamas in the morning after sorting out her children for nursery.

Some shoppers at the store welcomed the ban yesterday saying it was not unusual to see women pushing their trolleys in pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers.
But other people living around the estate were furious and branded Tesco ‘snobbish’.
Wearing pyjamas outside the house became a hot topic recently on the Mumsnet website with parents drawing up lists of what is and what is not acceptable for mothers to wear at the school gates.
Some 'yummy mummies' advocate glossy hair, a full face of make-up, tailored clothes and high heels.
Then there are the 'slummies' who insist tracksuits or gardening clothes are fine - or at a push - pyjamas and slippers.
One mother wrote that she was warned to wear high heels and lipstick when she collected her daughter up from nursery or the other mothers would not invite her to social occasions.
But another suggested buying a decent coat to cover up sartorial horrors or even pyjamas underneath.
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