How to Deter Teenagers From Starting to Smoke

Blackened, cancerous lungs, a raspy voice, yellowed teeth and a permanently foul smell are the price you pay for smoking. Many teenagers, though, like many adults, think that these things won’t happen to them and that they won’t become addicted to cigarettes if they start smoking. Preventing a teen from ever starting to smoke is much easier than his trying to quit once he starts.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask your teen her opinion on smoking and ask her why she feels that way about it. She may think it's a disgusting habit, or she may think it seems like an easy way to lose weight. Finding out her attitude toward smoking gives you a better idea of how to help deter her from smoking.

• 2

  Explain the risks. Tell your teen that habitual smoking takes years off your life, ruins your skin, makes you unattractive and costs thousands of dollars every year. Show your teen a photo of a lung affected by smoking in comparison to a photo of a healthy, smoke-free lung. The difference in appearance is staggering.

• 3

  Tell your teen that cigarettes contain poisons such as cyanide and nicotine. Because these ingredients are poisons, the body’s first reaction to a cigarette is defensive. First-time smokers feel burning in their throat and lungs, and many even feel sick and throw up.

• 4

  Ask your teen if he’s willing to quit soccer, volleyball, basketball, golf, baseball or tennis, because once he starts smoking, he will no longer have the lung capacity to play these sports at a high level. Explain to him as well that he will have trouble snorkeling during that tropical spring break getaway.

• 5

  Explain the long-term effects of smoking on family life. Tell your teen that if she smokes she could experience fertility problems, and if she smokes during pregnancy she will harm her baby.

• 6

  Stop smoking and lead by example. Children of smokers are more likely to become smokers themselves. Your example is one of the most important in your teen's life.

• 7

  Appeal to your teen's vanity. Bad breath, bad skin, bad hair, foul-smelling clothing, slower healing from injuries and loss of athleticism are among the short-term effects that smokers experience. Most teens are very conscious of their looks and appearance and won’t want to do anything that could cause them to look unattractive to their peers. This might be the most effective method of deterring your teen from smoking.

• 8

  Encourage your teen to pursue friendships with teens who do not smoke. Peer pressure has a huge effect on his decision to smoke, and being friends with smokeless teens makes him less likely to smoke himself. Discuss peer pressure with him and teach him to say no when propositioned to smoke.

• 9

  Involve yourself in anti-smoking campaigns around your city or town and involve your teen. Being around research and proof of the damage of smoking will show your teen that the habit is not glamorous, healthy or attractive.