How to Reduce Teen Smoking

Take action to reduce smoking in teenagers.

According to the American Lung Association, about 70 percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 18. Smoking grows into a lifelong habit and can cause many health problems, such as cancer and heart trouble. It is important to be proactive and speak to children about the ill-effects of smoking. Teenagers may see friends smoking and want to fit in. Parents and schools should work together to dissuade teenagers from smoking. With a little extra time and effort, there are ways to reduce teenage smoking and maybe save someone from a lifelong habit.

Instructions

1. Set rules. A teenager must know that smoking is never allowed. A parent must make that clear and explain the consequences. The Mayo Clinic states that teens whose parents set strict no-smoking rules tend to smoke less.

2. Explain the financial expense of smoking. Sit down with your teenager and tell her how much it costs to keep this habit. Explain how the money spent on cigarettes could be spent on clothes and CDs, for example.

3. Discuss how to overcome peer pressure. Talk with your teen and come up with simple ideas for him to say no to his friends.

4. Tell your teenager about the ill-effects of smoking. Use family members and friends who smoked as an example. You may know someone who died of lung cancer or another person who has emphysema. Point this out to your teen.

5. Smoke away from the house. The American Cancer Society states that children of smokers are more likely to smoke themselves.You may be a smoker, and your teenager probably knows it. Don't hide the fact that you smoke, but don't smoke in front of your teenager if at all possible and explain how much you want to quit.

6. Provide anti-smoking programs in schools. Schools can post banners with the ill-effects of smoking. Have speakers come into schools and talk about the effects of smoking. Students should be punished if caught smoking on campus.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Teen Smoking: Ten Ways to Help Teens Stay Smoke-Free
• American Lung Association: Why Kids Start
• School Policy: What Helps to Reduce Teenage Smoking; Hamilton G, et al
• American Cancer Society: What Parents and Other Concerned Adults Can Do: Keep Kids From Starting