Parent Resource Center

Youth Smoking Prevention
Parenting Styles and Youth Smoking Influences

Each of us has a parenting style that changes a bit with different situations and as our children get older. The approach that you use most of the time can influence whether your children smoke.11. Jackson, C., Bee-Gates, D., and Hendricksen, L. (1994). Authoritative parenting, child competencies, and initiation of cigarette smoking. Health Education Quarterly, 21(1), 103-16.,22. Cohen, D.A., Richardson, J., and LeBree, L. (1994). Parenting behaviors and the onset of smoking and alcohol use: A longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 94(3), 368-75.

Research suggests that your children are less likely to smoke if you:33. Jackson, C. (2002). Perceived legitimacy of parental authority and tobacco and alcohol use during early adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31, 425-32.

  • Are sensitive to your children's needs as they grow older. (For example, teenagers need to find ways to demonstrate their independence.)
  • Spend time explaining the reasons for most of your rules and decisions. (For example, chores are shared around the home because that's one way that family members help each other out.)
  • Have high expectations for their behavior. (For example, finish homework every day.)

If you do these things, which show your respect for your children, they will likely pay more attention to your opinions and values when it comes to important issues such as tobacco and alcohol use. This also keeps the lines of communication open between you.

One thing that helps is understanding what behaviors are normal at different stages of childhood and adolescence. Don't just rely on what you remember from your own youth. Take the time to talk to other parents, read some articles or books, look at some websites on child development, or even take a parenting course. If you understand how your child is thinking at different ages, you'll be able to communicate more effectively.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

  • Remember that rebellion can be a sign of growth. Let teens speak their minds, even if you disagree with them. If you listen to them, they're more likely to listen to you, too, especially about important issues such as not smoking.
  • Encourage teens to demonstrate their maturity in healthy ways, such as by becoming involved with sports, music, theater or a part-time job. Help them see that tobacco use is not a part of growing up.
  • Talk to them about both the short-term and the long-term consequences of their behaviors. Remember that when it comes to smoking, teenagers are usually much more concerned about short-term consequences (smelly clothes, bad breath, having less spending money) than they are about long-term risks (heart disease, cancer, lung disease and other health problems).
  • Take advantage of natural opportunities to talk about not smoking, such as when you're offered a non-smoking table at a restaurant or see a "no smoking" sign in a building.
  • Share your reasons if you're a nonsmoker; talk about the downsides if you're a smoker. Listen to their thoughts on the topic, and let them help guide the discussions. If you use these natural opportunities, you can reinforce your message as they grow older, and become more aware of their opinions as they mature.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Text in this section from: Parenting styles and youth smoking (2006)

4. Source: Philip Morris USA Youth Smoking Prevention (2007). Teenage Attitudes and Behavior Study - 2006 Results. Scale: Percent responding 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale, where 5=”agree completely”; 1=”do not agree at all”. Asked of kids who have reported that they have not smoked a cigarette in the past 30 days.

Free resources for Parents:

Order or download free publications from the Raising Kids Who Don't Smoke parent resource series.