There are lots of ways to keep teens from smoking.
For many smokers, smoking cigarettes is a habit they began as teenagers. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the adults in the United States who are daily smokers, approximately 82 percent tried their first cigarette before age 18. Today's teens are smoking less than the generations before them. However, that does not mean the problem of teenage smoking is no longer a threat, and for parents or role models of teens, there are several things that can be done to encourage teenagers not to smoke.
Understand How Teens Feel
Teenagers often form an attraction to cigarettes because they think it is the cool or independent thing to do, their friends are doing it or because they are trying to lose weight, rebel or feel better about themselves. Regardless of the reason that teens are attracted to cigarettes, it is important for adults to understand why. Talk to teenagers about how they feel about smoking and about which of their friends smoke. Emphasize the good choices your teenager makes and talk about the immediate or future consequences of the negative ones. Understanding why teenagers are attracted to smoking and how they feel about it is a great way for adults to know equip teens with the ability to refuse cigarettes.
Say No and Lead by Example
Send a clear message that smoking is unacceptable, and lead by example.
Many times, it seems like teenagers are not listening to adults, but voicing that smoking is unacceptable and that it is disapproved of might help curb the appeal of cigarettes more than you think. Teens with parents who set strict rules against smoking and do not smoke are less likely to smoke. On the other hand, teenagers with parents who smoke are more likely to start smoking. Therefore, if you are a smoker and a role model for a teenager, it would be wise to lead by example and stop smoking. It would also help if you expressed to the teen that you are unhappy with your choices, why you are unhappy about them and explain how difficult it is to quit.
Appeal to Teens' Personal Hygiene and Health
Smokers are likely to battle bad breath, no matter how often they brush their teeth.
Explain to teenagers what smoking does to their personal hygiene. Smoking is dirty and smells bad. Point out that people who smoke have the smell of stale smoke in their hair and on their clothes. Emphasize that smoking cigarettes causes bad breath, teeth to turn yellow and eventually can lead to a constant cough that makes breathing more difficult. This will eventually make it harder to participate in sports or other physical activities. Help teenagers understand the health risks and consequences they face because of smoking.
Appeal to Teenagers' Personal Finances
Help teens calculate how much smoking will cost them financially.
Help teens calculate the financial cost of smoking cigarettes. Besides health and hygiene costs, smoking cigarettes is very expensive, even when you do not consider the medical bills that can pile up later in life as a result of the bad habit. Show teenagers how much smoking a pack of cigarettes a day will cost them in one week, one month, one year or several years. Ask them to imagine all the things they could do with the money they would save if not purchasing cigarettes.
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