How to Punish Kids For Smoking

Whether you caught your child smoking or found evidence of it, then you are probably wondering how you should go about punishing him. You probably want to yell because you are frustrated, but there are better ways to get your child to listen to you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Be calm and discuss the situation. You can try to find out where your child got the cigarettes, but she probably isn’t going to want to rat anyone out. Of course, if she got them from you, then you are going to have to explain why you smoke but say it isn’t all right for her to do it.

2. Talk about reasons why smoking isn’t a good idea. It causes bad breath, poor skin, yellow teeth, cancer and other health problems. Find pictures on the Internet of a healthy lung and one from a smoker. You child may not fully realize the possible consequences of smoking, and pictures usually work much better than words. If you are a smoker yourself, point out health effects you have experienced as a result.

3. Decide on the punishment for smoking. You could take away the privilege of attending an upcoming event to which your child has been looking forward. On the other hand, take away television, computer or video game privileges.

4. Outline family and household rules, and that you don't allow smoking at all, whether in the house or not. Make sure your child understands what the consequences will be for the recent smoking and what will happen next time. In addition, point out that breaking this rule has impaired your ability to trust him, and that you won’t be able to let him leave the house as often if you can’t trust him to obey the rules.

Tips & Warnings

• If you or your spouse smokes, you are going to have to explain that smoking is an adult decision, and not appropriate for someone underage to make. Consider quitting the habit yourself, and your child will likely understand and respect your position on smoking more.