Smoking and Tobacco
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that, while tobacco use is declining, 3,800 people under age 18 begin smoking each day. Roughly 1000 of these will become regular smokers. In Tuscaloosa the average age of first use of tobacco is 11.5.
What's The Risk?
Smoking and tobacco can be harmful to your child's health. Here is why having a conversation with your child about smoking and tobacco is important:
Addiction:
- The younger people are when they start smoking, the more likely they are to develop a long-term addiction.
- Some teens and preteens report signs of addiction with only occasional (non-daily) smoking.
- Teens and preteens who smoke are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses
- Experience shortness of breath more often than those who don't
- May have impaired lung growth and function.
- It has been estimated that more American's die from tobacco-related illnesses than from alcohol, car accidents, HIV/AIDS, firearms and illegal drugs combined.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., and most cases are caused by cigarette smoking. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, emphysema and stroke and increases the risk of oral cancer and gum disease.
- The CDC estimates that between 1995 and 1999, cigarettes took approximately 14 years off an adult smoker's life.
- Secondhand smoke contains 69 chemicals that are known to cause cancer.
- Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in this country.
Start The Discussion
When talking to your child about hot-button issues like smoking, it is important to remain calm. Nothing will turn your child off quicker than a lecture. Let him/her participate in the conversation, ask questions and truly listen without judgement.
Look For Openings
When spending time with your child, look for ways you can conversationally bring up smoking. This can be done when watching TV, shopping, playing basketball or any other activity. Sometimes, they might even bring it up. Be alert for these opportunities to discuss the health risks involved with smoking and tobacco.
What matters to your child
You know your child, so you will know which messages about smoking are most likely to resonate with him. Here are some important reminders you might want to make when you are talking about smoking and tobacco, but be sure to put it in your own words in a way your child can understand it.
Look For Openings
When spending time with your child, look for ways you can conversationally bring up smoking. This can be done when watching TV, shopping, playing basketball or any other activity. Sometimes, they might even bring it up. Be alert for these opportunities to discuss the health risks involved with smoking and tobacco.
What matters to your child
You know your child, so you will know which messages about smoking are most likely to resonate with him. Here are some important reminders you might want to make when you are talking about smoking and tobacco, but be sure to put it in your own words in a way your child can understand it.
- State your own values clearly: Younger children may respond to simple rules like "In this family we don't smoke." As your child grows older, she may be more concerned with fitting in with her peers. But she is still listening closely to what you have to say, even if it doesn't seem like it.
- Focus on short-term consequences: As adults, we know that smoking leads to life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, emphysema and lung cancer. But most teenagers don't worry about these. They can't understand what it is like to be older or be sick. Instead, focus more on the immediate consequences like bad breath, smelly clothes, yellow teeth or poor performance in sports. You might also point out that even kids who don't smoke daily may report signs of addiction.
- Run a reality check: Preteens and teens tend to overestimate the number of children their age and older who engage in all sorts of risky behaviors, including smoking, using drugs and drinking alcohol. Make sure your teen knows that the large majority of high school students don't smoke.
- Talk about peer pressure: Acknowledge some of the tough situations your child may face, and suggest positive ways of dealing with them. Remember that positive peer pressure can help keep her away from tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Point out classmates and friends she admires who don't engage in these behaviors.
- Show them the money: Kids are proud of what they do and what they earn. Figure out together how much it would cost each year to smoke and how many hours it would take at typical teen to earn that. Then talk about what else they might do with that money.
- Set the rules: Tell your child that consequences for smoking in your family, and make sure you follow through on them.
If Your Child Already Smokes
If you think or know that your teen or preteen is smoking, you still need to talk about your values and all the reasons not to smoke. The hardest part can be managing your own feelings of guilt, anger or disappointment. Resist the urge to punish or shame him, and don't launch into a lecture. You don't want your child to shut down and tune you out, just when you really need to have a conversation.
Instead, talk about things you have noticed like friends who smoke or clothing that smells. Without accusing, talk about situations, people or feelings that might be encouraging him to smoke.
Describe your concerns and ask about symptoms of cigarette addiction:
If she answers "no" to those four questions or doesn't want to talk, remind her how important this is to her future life and health, and that you plan to keep talking about it.
Instead, talk about things you have noticed like friends who smoke or clothing that smells. Without accusing, talk about situations, people or feelings that might be encouraging him to smoke.
Describe your concerns and ask about symptoms of cigarette addiction:
- Do you ever have strong cravings to smoke or feel like you need a cigarette?
- Do you have trouble concentrating or feel irritable or anxious when you can't smoke?
- Is it hard to keep from smoking at school or other places you shouldn't smoke?
- Have you tried to quit but couldn't?
If she answers "no" to those four questions or doesn't want to talk, remind her how important this is to her future life and health, and that you plan to keep talking about it.
Expect Some Rebellion
Finally, expect your child to rebel on occasion. That's what teens do. If you accept safer ways of rebelling, like hairstyles, fashion or music, your child may feel less of a need to rebel through smoking, drinking or drug abuse.
