According to the website Family First Aid, about 3,900 teens begin smoking every day, and 1,500 of them will become regular smokers. The site goes on to state that many teens who smoke often suffer from secondary behavioral issues, including risky sexual behavior and drug or alcohol abuse. While you might be flooded with a variety of emotions upon discovering your teen's cigarette habit, it is not too late to help him quit. You need to know what to do.
Step 1
Set an example. Kids sometimes learn by positive examples, so if you smoke, try to quit with her. You will not only reap the health benefits, but will also be standing behind everything your are telling her.
Step 2
Talk to your teen. While you may be livid that your teen is smoking, experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest that you try to understand why he has started smoking. To help him quit, you must first determine the cause of the smoking.
Step 3
Set a date to quit smoking. Helping your teen pick a date is one of the most important parts of the process. It should be a time when nothing stressful is taking place in his life. Depending on how long your teen has been smoking, her withdrawal symptoms could be severe, so quitting during a stressful period could only hurt her chances of success.
Step 4
Help her prepare for cravings. Purchase chewing gum, make plans to keep him distracted and his mind off smoking, or practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. To perform, have him breathe slowly and deeply in through his nose, and exhale slowly through his mouth. This can be repeated until the craving has passed.
Step 5
Make a list. Take time and help your teen make a list of all the negative effects smoking has on his body, from bad breath to cancer. His list should also include personal reasons for wanting to quit, whether it's to save money or set a better example for siblings. When cravings strike, have him read his list as a way to keep him motivated.
Step 6
Find a support group. Support groups give your teen more than just support from other teens trying to quit. They are a way to meet people who might have begun smoking for the same reasons, such as peer pressure.
