Parent Resource Center
Q: Maybe smoking is just a phase - won't my kid just grow
out of it?
A: That’s a risk you can’t afford to take. According to the Centers for Disease
Control, approximately 80% of all adult smokers started before they turned 18.11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco Information and Prevention Source - Overview. Retrieved September 24, 2004 from www.cdc.gov/tobacco/issue.htm.
Q: How can I get through to my child about the serious health risks
of smoking?
Realistic fears about future health risks can motivate kids to quit.22. Riedel, B.W., Robinson, L.A., Klesges R.C., & McLain-Allen, B. (2002). What motivates adolescent smokers to make a quit attempt? Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 68 167 - 174.
But scare
tactics can backfire if your child doesn’t believe them, or if she lacks confidence
that she can quit smoking.33. Ruiter, R.A.C., Abraham, C., & Kok, G. (2001). Scary warnings and rational precautions: A review of the psychology of fear appeals. Psychology and Health, 16, 613-630. Be sure to balance health warnings with encouragement
that she can quit. In addition, try focusing on immediate consequences such as poor
sports performance, smelly clothes, bad breath, or social disapproval.44. Riedel, B.W., Robinson, L.A., Klesges R.C., & McLain-Allen, B. (2002). What motivates adolescent smokers to make a quit attempt? Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 68 167 - 174.,55. Aung, A.T., Hickman, N.J., & Moolchan, E.T. (2003). Health and performance related reasons for wanting to quit. Gender differences among teen smokers. Substance Abuse and Misuse, 38(8), 1095-1107.
Q: Are there medicines that could help my child quit?
A: You should talk to your doctor about whether there are
appropriate medicines for your child. Currently, over-the-counter
nicotine replacement therapies, such as gums and patches, and
prescription medications for help in quitting smoking have not been
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use by
children.66. McDonald, P., Colwell, B., Backinger, C.L., Husten, C., & Maule, C.O. (2003). Better practices for youth tobacco cessation: Evidence of review panel. American Journal of Health Behavior, 27 (Suppl 2), S144-S158.
Q: If I cut off my child's allowance, won't that keep him from getting
cigarettes?
A: Not necessarily. They often find another way. In fact, according to a recent study, 40% of 11- to 17-year-old smokers reported that they usually borrowed or bummed cigarettes from someone.77. Philip Morris USA Youth Smoking Prevention (2007). Teenage Attitudes and Behavior Study - 2006 Results. You might try
showing him how much he could afford if he wasn’t spending his money on cigarettes.
(The website www.gottaquit.com has a virtual calculator that shows kids how quickly
the cost of cigarettes can add up.)
Q: What can I do about other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco?
A: First of all, when you talk to your children about not smoking also talk to them about not using other tobacco products. Look for signs of smokeless use, such as bad breath, yellowish-brown stains on their teeth, or discarded packaging. Ask about whether their friends are using any tobacco products. If you think your child is using any form of tobacco, talk to your family doctor or pediatrician for help setting up a program to quit. It can be extremely difficult for children and adults to quit on their own.
Text in this section from: Could your kid be smoking? (2005)
