Nearly 25 percent of teenagers in the United States acknowledge that they smoke cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although two-thirds of this group expresses a desire to quit and in spite of the fact that public health groups have aimed anti-smoking campaigns toward teenagers, teen smokers may still be unable to kick the habit. If your teenager struggles with cigarette use, employ motivational techniques and diversions to help her quit smoking for good.
Step 1
Quit smoking yourself to be a positive role model for your teenager. If you can't quit smoking immediately, the MayoClinic.com recommends taking precautions so you won't encourage your teenager to smoke. Avoid smoking in the house, smoking in front of your teenager or leaving cigarettes where your teen can access them, for example.
Step 2
Discuss the consequences of smoking with your teenager to demystify any glamorous notions about the habit that he has received from friends, advertisements or movies. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences suggests detailing the health consequences of smoking, talking about friends and family members who died from smoking-related diseases and pointing out ways that friends use peer pressure to encourage smoking.
Step 3
Help your teenager avoid places and situations that lead her to smoke. Kids Health from Nemours suggests driving your teen to school if she typically smokes in the car with her friends, for example. Devise additional activities, such as reading, playing a hand-held video game or text messaging with family members as a distraction, if your teenager typically smokes after meals or when her hands are idle.
Step 4
Keep your teenager's mind off cigarettes to stop teen smoking. If your teen smokes to relieve stress, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences advocates finding new ways to expend nervous energy, such as sports, cooking, photography or painting. A new pastime is also a good way to make new friends, particularly if they are the ones who encourage your teen to smoke.
Step 5
Give your child a supply of items that he can use as a substitute for cigarettes to keep his hands and his mouth busy. Kids Health from Nemours suggests carrot sticks, lollipops, gum or toothpicks.
Step 6
Seek assistance if your teenager cannot give up cigarettes on her own. MayoClinic.com recommends finding a support group or a special tobacco cessation specialist who can provide moral support and recommend anti-smoking aids, such as medication, nicotine gum or patches.
Tips and Warnings
- Motivate your teenager to continue the non-smoking habit by rewarding successes. The Tobacco Free CA website, sponsored by the California Department of Public Health, recommends celebrating weekly or monthly anniversaries for walking away from cigarettes with special outings or small gifts.
- Avoid issuing ultimatums to your teenager when encouraging him to quit smoking. The Tobacco Free CA website notes that nagging may simply cause your teen to rebel and continue the habit just to assert his independence. The pestering may also cause your teen additional stress that could increase the amount he smokes.
Things You'll Need
- Carrots, lollipops, gum or toothpicks
- Anti-smoking aids
