According to the American Lung Association, each day another 4,000 young people under the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette. Of that number, 950 will continue to smoke regularly and about half of those smokers will die from smoking-related illnesses. Parents often have a list of risky behaviors to warn their children against. The conversation about smoking is important; however, it is not a one-time event. The anti-smoking conversation must last for many years to ensure that children do not smoke that first cigarette.
Step 1
Lead by example. Parents who smoke are more likely to have children who smoke. Maintain a smoke-free home, don't allow others to smoke around your children and don't attend events where people are allowed to smoke. Communicate a consistent view on smoking so that your children are open to listening to you about smoking.
Step 2
Begin early to tell your children not to smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products in any form. Start talking to your children about smoking when they are about 5 or 6 years old. Speak to them directly and honestly about smoking. Explain to them what you dislike about smoking (i.e., health dangers, smell, cost).
Step 3
Ask your children about their views on smoking. Discuss the images of smoking on television, in the movies and in advertisements and ask them why they think young people smoke. Don't lecture or become angry. Help them practice ways to resist peer pressure.
Step 4
Keep lines of communication open so that your children will talk to you about smoking, whether their friends are smoking and any difficulty they are having saying no to tobacco use. Resist the urge to lecture and continue to talk to your children about the dangers of smoking. Explain that peer pressure may become more persistent and remind them that nicotine is addictive.
Tips and Warnings
- Make open communication the norm in your home so that your children are comfortable coming to you about smoking.
- If your child is already smoking, remember that he is probably addicted to nicotine and may need help to stop smoking.
