While adult usage of tobacco products has leveled off, teen rates have
been rising. For parents, the numbers are frightening. Every day 3,000
kids become addicted to tobacco products and almost 1,000 of them will
die prematurely from tobacco-related disease.
Cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing are addictive behaviors. Most
teens underestimate the health risks of tobacco ("It won't happen to
me") and overestimate their ability to kick the habit ("I can quit
whenever I want"). Together, these beliefs make them an easy target as
the perfect 'replacement smokers' for the 400,000+ smokers dying each
year from tobacco-related disease.
It takes as little as a pack of cigarettes to get some teens hooked.
Teens start smoking younger than many parents realize. The average teen
smoker starts by age 13 and becomes a daily smoker by 14-1/2. One in ten
start as young as age 9. The younger a child starts experimenting with
tobacco, the greater the chance they'll be a heavy smoker as an adult.
What can a parent do? Plenty. As their true role model, parents
influence their sons and daughters more than anything else does.
Here's a start:
- Talk about it - your views do make a difference. For example, there
are fewer smokers among teens who say their parents would be upset if
they smoked. If you are among the 90% of smokers who say they hope their
children won't start using tobacco, let them know. Or your discussion
could be about the harmful effects of tobacco.
- If you smoke - TRY TO QUIT. There's never been a better time. More
help is available than ever before, much of it covered by insurance
plans. If your teen smokes, make quitting a team effort.
- Be upfront about peer pressure. Smoking is often perceived as the
cool, sexy and fun choice. Once you're addicted, smoking is neither a
choice, nor cool, sexy and fun. Rehearse with them how they can handle
tough situations.
Clearly the best way to stop teen smoking is to prevent it from ever
starting in the first place.
For more information on tobacco and teens or on available smoking
cessation programs and resources in your area, please call Janis
Taramelli, tobacco cessation specialist, Minneapolis Heart Institute
Foundation, at 612/863-7848.
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