The teenage years begin the journey toward personal freedom. A teen may start testing established boundaries and pushing the limits of expected behavior as a way to rebel or experience life. Teens often make statements by changing their hair, wardrobe and musical preferences. For some, a declaration of independence involves experimenting with harmful substances, such as cigarettes. Fortunately, you can employ common sense techniques to help your teen stay smoke-free.
Address Peer Pressure
Peer pressure makes teens engage in activities they would otherwise never consider. Whether a teen wants acceptance or simply feels the need to appease friends, peer pressure can prove much more persuasive than parental authority. If any of your teen's friends smoke, consider it a warning sign. Give your teen the tools to handle smoking situations. Tell your teen it's admirable to stick to their convictions and decline the invitation if someone offers them a cigarette. Explain that true friends will honor their decision not to smoke.
Explain the Dangers
Begin by describing the toll smoking can take on their appearance. Explain that even short-term smoking results in a poor complexion, stained teeth and bad breath. It can also lead to frequent colds, respiratory problems and loss of energy. Transition the conversation to the long-term effects of smoking, which include emphysema, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. If applicable, dust off the family photo album to help make your point. Talk to your teen about relatives who have died or suffered smoking-related illnesses. Stress the highly addictive nature of nicotine, which makes smoking an extremely difficult habit to kick.
Do Not Overreact
Nothing turns a teen off quicker than a screaming, irrational parent. If you happen to overhear your teen talking about smoking, resist the urge to overreact. Calmly find out if underlying problems exist and ask if you can help, rather than giving them the third degree. If you discover your teen has tried cigarettes, determine their motivation, listen to their responses, and use reason to dissuade them from smoking again. Pull from your own experience and offer constructive advice. An open discourse will keep the lines of communication open, making it easier to approach your teen in the future.
Be a Good Role Model
Obviously, non-smoking parents make good role models for teens. Smokers have less credibility preaching the virtues of a smoke-free existence. If you smoke, your teen has a greater chance of following in your footsteps. Speak to your physician about smoking cessation. If you do smoke, avoid smoking in front of your teen and do not smoke in any area that exposes family members to secondhand smoke. If you used to smoke, sit down with your teen and describe the negative impact smoking has had on your life, your reasons for quitting, and the physical effects nicotine withdrawal had on you.
Spend Time Together
Parents who spend quality time with their teens create a nurturing home environment. This will encourage healthy interaction and mutual respect between you and your teen. A teen actively engaged in family life, chores, schoolwork, sports and extracurricular activities, is much less likely to take up smoking or engage in other self-destructive behavior.
