A recent study made on teenage smoking came up with a figure of approximately 4.5
million adolescent smokers in the United States alone. And that everyday, roughly six
thousand children below eighteen years of age begin to smoke. Out of that six
thousand children, two thousand will grow up to become regular smokers. One survey
says that approximately ninety percent of smokers began smoking before they reached
the age of twenty-one. To some teenagers, smoking may begin as an innocent
experiment, to some it is their own way of expressing rebellion, but it may develop
into a lifelong habit that can be difficult to quit.
It has been proven that adolescents
who regularly smoke have just hard time dropping the habit. And they say that the
best way to get kids to stop smoking is to not get them started on the habit in the first
place. Here are some tips that can help keep your adolescent children away from the
smoking habit: l Seek out the reason. Teenagers have different reason to get into
smoking. Some do it just to test what it feels like to smoke, some do it because of peer
pressure, some in an attempt to feel cool or independent, some because they want to
fit in to a certain group, and some do it because they are rebelling. It may be
surprising but some teens smoke in an attempt to lose weight or feel better about
themselves. It would be easier to know how to deal with the problem if you know and
understand the reason behind it. l Just say â€oenoâ€E. Telling your kids that smoking
is not allowed may be more helpful than you think. A recent study showed that
teenagers who thought that their parents would not like to hear of them smoking were
less than half as likely to smoke as compared to adolescents who thought their parents
didn't mind. l Be a good role model. To make your children believe that smoking is
bad, set yourself as a good example. Teen smoking is more common among
adolescents who are used to seeing their parents smoke. If you smoke, avoid smoking
in front of your children, or don't leave your cigarettes where your children can find
them. l Tap into your teen's vain side. Although movies may depict smoking as
something glamorous and macho, the truth is, it isn't. Remind your teenagers that
smoking is a smelly and dirty habit--- it leaves yellow stain on your teeth, stench on
your hair and clothes, and bad breath. l Do the math. Smoking is an expensive vice.
Show your teens how much smoking costs on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.
Compare smoking costs to electronic gadgets, clothes, and other teen essentials to
make them understand that they can use that money on other important things instead
of buying cigarettes. l Explain cigarette addiction clearly. A lot of teenage smokers
believe that they can quit anytime they want, but that isn't always true. Teens can
become just as addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes as adults do. A recent study
shows that of adolescents who've smoked at least a hundred cigarettes, most of them
would like to quit but are finding it difficult to do so. l Tell your kids what's in store.
Inform your children o the long-term consequences of smoking â€" lung cancer, heart
attack, and stroke. Not to mention the chronic coughing and other pulmonary tract
concerns. The best way to make your kids understand that they should stop smoking
is not by giving threats or ultimatums, instead show them that you're concerned about
their well-being. Be supportive, encourage them that even if they may find quitting
difficult, in the long run, with perseverance and will power, they will be able to quit
the habit and live a smoke-free and healthy life. The writer, Abbey Grace Yap, is an
active advocate for health consciousness and disease awareness. She possesses a deep
passion in discovering new health-related information and sharing it to her readers.
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