Children start smoking for a variety of reasons. Some want to appear more grown up. Some want to “look cool.” Some bend to peer pressure and start because their friends are smoking. Some want to experiment. Some want to rebel. Most children who try smoking do not understand the long term consequences and risks of smoking.
According to the CDC:
- nearly 9 out of 10 cigarette smokers first try cigarette smoking by age 18, and 98% first try smoking by age 26
- Each day in the U.S. about 2,000 youth under 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette and more than 300 youth under 18 years of age become daily cigarette smokers.
The best time to start talking to your kids about smoking is around 6-7 years and continue through the high school years. Helping your child understand the dangers of smoking is crucial.
Here are some tips for talking with your children:
- Keep it a two-way conversation. Let them ask questions and give their honest thoughts.
- If a relative has passed away from cancer, let them know and talk about different lifestyle choices.
- Ask questions such as, “What do you think about smoking?” “Why do you think people smoke?” Discuss what they may or may not find appealing.
- Do the math. For older children, have them calculate what a pack a day smoker spends on cigarettes and ask them what they could buy instead. (in some cities, an average smoker can spend over $2,200.00 a year on cigarettes)
- Practice saying “No” if offered tobacco products. Some examples are, “No thanks, I don’t want to smell bad” or “I don’t want to be out of breath for practice.”
- Be sure to cover topics such as smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes. These products are not meant for children and can be just as harmful.
Tips to keep your kids smoke free:
- Look into
after school activities such as sports or church groups. Keeping your child active in areas that aresmoke free will encourage them to staysmoke free , - Know who your child’s friends are. Encourage your child to not hang out with other kids who smoke.
- Talk about ways of resisting peer pressure and practice ways of saying “No.”
- Make strong rules about the use of tobacco and stick to these rules.
- If you are a smoker, quit, Share your experiences regarding smoking with them.
How to tell if your child is smoking:
Even though you may have talked to your kids about smoking, some teenagers will try it anyway. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Bad Breath
- Chronic Cough
- Smells of smoke
- Sore throat
- Irritability
- Stained teeth
If you see any of these signs, don’t overreact, Ask your child about it and listen. If your child is experimenting, it is a perfect time to talk about the risks and lifelong consequences of tobacco use.