Help Teens to Avoid Smoking (Part 1)




The majority of long-time smokers start their habit in the young age. It begins as a one-time thing, as an innocent habit and grows to something that cannot be stopped. Many people try to quit smoking in older age, but the nicotine addiction is too strong and does not let them go.

If adults care about their teenage children and do not want to start smoking, they might succeed by following ten simple tips. Here is what an adult should do:

1.    Learning why smoking is attractive.

There might be many reasons why teens start smoking. First of all many children want to rebel, to show that they are big enough to do “adult” things, to be independent, or to try what was forbidden before. A teen might light up in an attempt to lose weight or to fight stressful situation. Going through hormonal changes, teenagers are very sensitive to the world, and smoking might help them feel better, more grown-up, or attractive. In order to understand the young people parents should ask them about their feelings and thoughts about smoking. It is important to know if their close friends smoke, if the teens are interested in trying themselves. Parents might encourage smoke-free behavior, explain the drawbacks of smoking, and show that celebrities are highly paid for smoking in movies, but it does not mean that this habit is good.

2.    Setting a NO rule.

As a rule, teenagers rarely listen to their parents, but saying the firm “no” to smoking is still necessary. The child should understand that this habit is not allowed and not tolerable in the house. Although teens tend to be rebellious, setting a rule usually works perfect. Statistics shows that teens with firmer smoking restrictions smoke less than those with no such rules. The restrictions also work in the families where children feel close to their parents.

3.    Being a good example.

“Although I smoke, you must not do the same!” is a usual statement in a family where a parent smokes. This is not right. Children always tend to follow their parents and in the households where adults smoke, teens are most likely going to smoke too. In order to save the child from the harmful habit, parents should quit as soon as possible and be the best example of a non-smoker. Quitting smoking takes some time and effort, but it is worth it. A doctor can help in finding the best solution for quitting.

4.    Counting the expense.

Smoking is an expensive habit. The price of a pack of cigarettes might vary from state to state, but it is still high. On average smokers take one pack a day, so it is interesting to calculate how much money it takes to smoke. Parents can calculate the expenses together with their teenage children and see what kind of gadgets they could buy or what kind of activities they could do if they were to save the money instead of wasting it on cigarettes.

5.    Appealing to their vanity.

Teens are very concerned about their appearance. They want to look good, because they want others to love them and this feeling is more significant in teenagers than in younger or older age. This is a good time to explain the negative part of smoking. First of all it looks bad and numerous pictures can be used here as a visual aid. Secondly, it is a dirty and smelly habit. It gives bad breath and it provides long-lasting smell to hair, clothes and any things the smoker uses. Smoking makes teeth yellow, the skin turns dull and yellowish and the voice becomes lower. In addition, this habit gives constant cough and takes away energy.

Mary Thomson

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Posted on February 22, 2010 
Filed Under Facts on Smoking, Smoking and Youth, Stop Smoking, Stop Smoking News

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