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Ways to Prevent Teen Smoking

Although the number of teenagers who use cigarettes has declined since the 1990s, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that more teens than adults are still smoking today. The ACS also notes that teens are specifically targeted by the tobacco industry through media advertisements designed to influence young people to smoke. But parents can take action in many ways to help prevent their teens from smoking.

  1. Lead by Example

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, your teenager is more likely to smoke if you as a parent smoke. To help your teen resist cigarettes, lead by example and don't smoke. If you are not a smoker, talk to your child about how good it feels not to be addicted to nicotine. If you currently smoke, strive to break the habit. As the Mayo Clinic suggests, contact your doctor and seek advice about how to stop smoking. Then openly discuss the hardships of quitting cigarettes with your teen and make sure she understands that smoking is an addiction.

    Calculate the Cost

    • Many teenagers enjoy having money and spending it on fun items such as clothes, music CD's, shoes or social entertainment. According to the Mayo Clinic, it's important to educate your teen on the cost of cigarettes. Sit down with your teen and determine the price of a pack of cigarettes. Then calculate the weekly, monthly and yearly expense of maintaining a tobacco habit. Ask your teen if he would rather spend his money on an expensive, potentially harmful habit or other items such as electronics, gadgets, or entertainment.

    Try Role Playing

    • Many teens start smoking because of peer pressure from friends and acquaintances. Help your teenager resist this pressure by discussing potential situations and role playing. For example, ask your teen what she would say if someone offered her a cigarette in the car on the way home from school. Help her with her answer if she struggles to find the appropriate response. Mayo Clinic recommends a simple response such as, "No thanks, I don't smoke." According to Mayo Clinic staff, "The more your teen practices this basic refusal, the more likely he or she will say no at the moment of truth."

    Discuss Harmful Effects

    • To help your teen understand the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes, show him online photos of a non-smoker's healthy lung as well as a smoker's unhealthy lung. Compare the two organs and research statistics regarding cancer and other diseases caused by smoking cigarettes. Teaching your teenager about the harmful physical aspects of smoking and addiction may help your teen stay away from cigarettes.

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