How to Persuade Children Not to Begin Smoking
Persuading children not to begin smoking can be a very difficult endeavor in today's society where young people are often bombarded with images that glorify smoking, celebrities who smoke, peers who smoke and even family members who smoke. One of the most significant images related to smoking are those that make smokers look "cool". Fitting in and looking cool are very important in kids' lives and the desire to fit and look cool in may cause them to try things, such as smoking, that will lead to health issues later in life. Educating kids about the dangers of smoking and showing them what damage smoking can do and combating social images that glorify smoking will help make it easier for a child make a decision for their own good when presented with the choice to try a cigarette.
Things You'll Need
- Information materials
- Advertisements featuring smokers
- Pack of cigarettes
Instructions
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Speak frankly with your children about smoking. Chances are, they've already been exposed to cigarettes through relatives or friends or even strangers around them, and have seen what cigarettes are and how they are used. Speak in a way that is not overbearing, demanding or reprimanding. Speak openly, calmly and try to engage them in a discussion of what they think about smoking and people who smoke. This will help you get a better idea of what you're up against.
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Present your children with information about the risks of smoking. Even packs of cigarettes now carry labels about the risks of smoking, including cancer and even death. Information is available online as well. Many major, government institutions offer kid-oriented websites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have web pages where kids can see which celebrities are anti-smoking and they can learn facts and even play games that are intended to promote the choice against smoking.
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Show images of how smoking affects the human body. Depending on the age of your children, you have the option of showing them images of the human body after long-term exposure to cigarette smoke. You can find these online, in books or even in medical journals. They are often graphic and shouldn't be used to scare, but to educate children that smoking can cause permanent damage to their body that could ultimately lead to death. While lungs are the most obvious body part affected, skin, hair and other organs can also be damaged.
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Visit a hospital where people are being treated for diseases stemming from long-term cigarette use, such as emphysema and lung cancer. A doctor or nurse may be able to help you find someone willing to share their story about what smoking did to them. If this is not an option, look online for videos that do the same thing. Anti-smoking campaigns will have videos available of people who will share their stories and children can see first-hand what the ravages of smoking cigarettes can do.
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Tips & Warnings
Persuading children not to smoke should be an on-going, open dialog about the subject.
