Australian teenager allowed 'calming' smokes

A year 10 student has been given permission to take cigarette breaks while at school because her doctor says she is clinically addicted to nicotine.

Tara Lewis, 16, who smokes as much as a packet a day, is allowed to smoke between classes to relieve the "stress" of her studies.

Stromlo High School has granted the amazing concession to the Canberra teenager despite the ACT Government boasting of its plans to tighten laws to stop underage smoking. It is also illegal to supply cigarettes to anybody under the age of 18.



The high school student said it was a "massive" relief to be able to smoke at school as it helped to calm her down.

"As soon as I've got a cigarette in my hand, I'm calmer," she said.

Stromlo High School gave her permission for "smoko" breaks following advice from Tara's mother, Patrece Lewis, and her family doctor. "We were worried that she wasn't going to finish year 10 if she couldn't smoke," Ms Lewis, 35, said.