For Parents
Nearly every adult who smokes started smoking as a teen, many before age 14.
More than 400,000 kids under the age of 18 become daily smokers
in the U.S. every year. And even though it's illegal for kids
to buy cigarettes under the age of 18 in Virginia, most kids who
smoke get their cigarettes from friends and family members, according
to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Experts recommend that you can arm your kids against peer pressure to smoke
by role-playing scenarios with them, and showing them how they
can turn down cigarettes. Help your kids develop a strong self
image that is resistant to pressure. Let them know they're too
cool to smoke and that only kids who are desperate to fit in would
do such an uncool thing. Talk to your kids truthfully about the
dangers of smoking. If a family member suffers from a tobacco-related
illness, use it as an opportunity to talk about the risks of using
tobacco products.
Resources
Parents. The Anti Drug: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign site for parents
PARENTS WHO SMOKE
Even if you're a parent who smokes, you can still talk to your
kids about why they shouldn't smoke. Better than anyone else,
you should know the reasons why your kids shouldn't be smoking.
Tell your kids how easy it is to become addicted to using tobacco
products, about how expensive it is, the social downsides, the
health risks and why smoking is the wrong choice to make.
Secondhand Smoke and Kids
Secondhand smoke increases the incidence of childhood asthma,
bronchitis and pneumonia. Every year, 280 children nationwide
die from respiratory illnesses caused by secondhand smoke. Studies
rank secondhand smoke as the third leading cause of preventable
death in the U.S., after active smoking and alcohol use, with
53,000 deaths annually. Secondhand smoke is also harmful to pets.
There are many ways to quit smoking. Some resources are below. In addition to nicotine patch systems, there are also prescription drugs that aid in smoking cessation such as Chantix and Bupropion. Below are some places where you can get more information on how to quit.
Resources for Quitting
Quit Now Virginia: Tobacco-user quit line 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids: Web resources for quitting smoking
Great American Smokeout: American Cancer Society’s annual cessation event
American Cancer Society: Kick the Habit
