No parent wants his or her child to start smoking. But thousands of young people start every day. What should parents know, and what should they do?
- Kids learn to smoke by watching others – friends, older kids, and adults.
- Young people are most vulnerable to peer pressure in the sixth through eighth grades.
- Parents who smoke are much more likely to have kids who smoke.
- Tobacco advertising makes smoking look glamorous and cool.
Addiction
Addiction to nicotine happens rapidly – which is why any experimentation is serious. Parents should not tolerate any experimentation.
- Addiction means no longer being in complete control of smoking behavior.
- Typically, kids who experiment with smoking are addicted within the first two months.
- More than 90 percent of all smokers started before they were 18.
What You Can Do to Help
- If you smoke, seriously consider stopping. It can be hard to do, but it will benefit you and your child.
- Don't allow smoking in your house or car. This protects others from secondhand smoke and sends a message that you are serious.
- If you smoke, keep cigarettes out of sight or reach.
- Start talking about not smoking when kids are very young.
- Discuss what addiction is and the health risks that smokers face.
- Set rules about TV and movie watching, and don't let them watch shows that glamorize smoking.
- Discuss tobacco advertising and how it targets young people.
- Use your parental influence to discourage friendships your kids have with other kids who smoke.
When Kids Do Smoke
Smoking can be a life or death decision. Do whatever is necessary to get your child to quit.
- Strongly discuss why you want them to quit.
- Tell them how upset you are.
- Take them to see their doctor.
- Confiscate cigarettes whenever they appear in the house or car.
- Seek help through a smoking cessation program or telephone quit-line.
- Reward them for quitting.
- Take away privileges (TV, driving, dating) when you catch them smoking.
Work with the Community
- Encourage the schools to enforce tobacco-free school policies.
- Contact your local health department and police to let them know you support laws prohibiting tobacco sales to underage kids.
- Talk to neighborhood store owners, and encourage them to NOT display cigarette ads.
- Support local ordinances banning smoking in public places Learn more about helping your child quit smoking from the American Cancer Society.
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