Don't assume your teenager knows smoking isn't cool. Though fewer kids are smoking today than in the past, they're still picking up cigarettes in significant numbers. With tobacco companies still marketing their products to young consumers, teenagers need a strong adult voice to warn them about the dangers of smoking. The earlier they start, the less likely they are to quit later on, which could mean major health problems for the rest of their lives.
Risks of Early Smoking
Although smoking is dangerous at any age, a study by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids found that the younger a child is when she first tries a cigarette, the likelier she is to become a regular smoker. The study also found that a higher percentage of children who try smoking ultimately get addicted than children who try marijuana, alcohol or cocaine. Tobacco cravings can severely interfere with a teenager's ability to concentrate and learn at school.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is a huge factor in the lifestyle choices of teenagers. Though teen smoking rates are lower today than in generations past, the American Lung Association reports that 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before age 21. If a teenager sees friends smoking, he will likely feel pressured to "join the crowd" and pick up a cigarette too.
Tobacco Marketing to Kids
Although the legal smoking age is 18, tobacco companies have long been found to secretly market their products to kids. Some more obvious methods, such as flavored cigarettes and the Joe Camel campaign, have been outlawed or curtailed. However, a study by the CDC showed that underage smokers are more likely to choose the most heavily advertised brands, whether the ads target kids or not. Educate teenagers about tobacco companies' marketing techniques and emphasize the immediate drawbacks to smoking, such as bad breath, yellow teeth and breathing problems.
Teen Fearlessness
As any parent of a teenager knows, most teens have a tendency to think they're invincible. Because their mental development is not yet complete, they don't think all their actions through before proceeding with something risky. Consider driving: a teenager may not think twice about the safety implications of speeding, inattentive driving and other dangers, which is why teenagers have higher accident rates and insurance costs. The same goes for smoking; they just don't think anything bad will happen to them if they do it.
Talk to Your Teen
If you are the parent of a teenager, it's important that your child hears from you why you don't want him to smoke. Not all kids will listen to their parents, but an authentic parental voice may stand out from the barrage of anti-smoking messages they get from teachers and marketing campaigns. Remind them that the easiest way to quit smoking is to never start -- and set this example yourself by quitting if you are a smoker.
