How To Handle Teen Smoking

Recent years have shown how aggressive marketing can be, and alongside that, marketing of cigarette and tobacco use has seen the increase in the number of smokers. Even more alarming, more and more teenagers are smoking, based on statistics. Studies also show that nearly all occurrence of tobacco use starts before the senior year in high school; the time when most teens are subject to peer pressure. Needless to say, cigarette smoking is indeed life threatening, and even second-hand smoke kills. As established by facts, the government and health experts have been consistent in the health effects and dangers of nicotine.

Noting that cigarette use is habit-forming or causes an addiction, it is best to curb this habit among teens, and there are a number ways a responsible adult can do that.

1. Be a non-smoker yourself. Teens who smoke find it okay because their parents smoke, too. Be a role model and don't smoke. If you are smoking, then now is the time to stop. It is sending a message that it is okay to have cigarettes as part of your life.
2. Speak your disapproval. Be vocal about how much you disagree with teen smoking. Chances are, if you're not vocal about it, your teen might either think it's okay or that you don't care. Being passive about it is not a way of preventing teen smoking.
3. Talk about appearances. While the word ‘health' may not be appealing to them, use ‘appearance' instead. Tell them how cigarettes can make their teeth appear yellow, or how it can give them bad breath. Tell them that if they smoke, their hair and their clothes will not be as clean-smelling. While peer pressure might say it makes them look ‘cool,' say otherwise because of the above-mentioned items.
4. Smoking is expensive. Make your teen realize that while a person is smoking, and even after quitting smoking, it is expensive - so don't start in the first place. The money spent on cigarettes can be used for other items such as gadgets or clothes that can make them look better and ‘cooler.' Even after smoking, the maintenance for your good health and in resolving health issues brought about by previous smoking can be a financial nightmare.
5. Communicate with your teen. With this, you'll find out whether temptation is near or whether support and praise should be given to your teen for making good choices.

Proper guidance from adults greatly increases the chance of leading teens to a healthier lifestyle and a longer life span. If your teens are already smoking, avoid scolding and confrontation; but instead, learn the root cause and communicate with them more. The better they understand it from you, the more they'll see the real picture about this bad habit, and you'll then get more willingness from them to stop.