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Strategies to Prevent Teen Smoking

Smoking is know to cause a number of health problems, including lung damage, cancer and respiratory illnesses. It can even lead to death. Not for nothing does the Surgeon General of the United States issue printed warnings on tobacco-related products. Start as early as possible with your teens to help them understand why smoking is a bad choice. Pay attention to them and become educated on the topic, and you will have a better chance at making a difference.

  1. Be a Positive Example

    • It will be hard for a teen to take you seriously if you smoke and are trying to convince him not to. If you are a smoker, speak to your doctor about options that may help you break the habit. Do not smoke in the car, in the house or anywhere that your teen can see you until you can quit yourself. It is important that you keep all tobacco products away from your teen as well. Nothing good can come from temptation. Talk to your teen if you are a smoker about how unhappy it makes you to smoke and how hard it is to quit the habit.

    Focus on Vanity

    • Looks are very important to teens, and they can spend a good deal of time and money on fashion to improve their appearance. Talk to your teen about how smoking can damage her appearance. Mention factors such as yellow teeth, clothes that smell of smoke, constant coughing, spitting and the fact that she will not be able to have the energy or respiratory strength to keep up with sporting activities. Show her examples that show just how nasty and and dirty smoking can be. Explain that there is nothing glamorous about the habit.

    Understand and Get Educated

    • Take the time to learn about the dangers of smoking yourself so that you do not come across as being uneducated when talking to your teens. Teens need you to be firm and strong. They look to you for guidance. Explain to them that actors in movies are often paid by tobacco companies to smoke in films. Explain the tricks that tobacco companies use, such as paying stores to place signs and tobacco products in places where children can see them. Try to understand why teens smoke by asking them if they have friends that smoke and why they think those teens smoke. Creating conversations like this will help ease any tension while speaking to your teen.

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