| Children
of Smokers More Likely to Pick up Habit Nov.
17, 1999
By Paul J. Braverman
NEW YORK (APBnews.com) --
Experts agree that even the strictest laws and
the best enforcement will fail to keep cigarettes
out of the hands of a determined teenager. The
best results are achieved by a comprehensive
approach, which includes family and community
efforts.
Some tips to keep in mind:
- Talk and listen.
Develop relationships with your children
that include frank, ongoing discussion
about tobacco. Talk about their friends,
what's happening at school and what they
think about smoking.
- Set a good
example. The most important advice may be
the hardest, because children of parents
who smoke are more likely to take up the
habit themselves. So do yourself and your
child a favor -- quit.
- Get active.
Encourage community laws that reduce the
exposure of teens to tobacco,
particularly in advertising. Laws that
limit smoking in restaurants, stores and
sporting events also help prevent teen
smoking and protect kids from secondhand
smoke.
- Be a soccer mom.
Studies show that teens involved in
interscholastic sports are 40 percent
less likely to smoke.
When teens smoke
If your teenager is
already smoking, there are a number of techniques
and resources that will help you help him or her
to stop:
- Pick your spots.
Only 20 percent of smokers are ready to
quit at any given time, and the trick is
to approach someone when they're ready.
Again, conversation is key. Talk about
things that matter to teenagers, like bad
breath and odors on clothes. Studies also
show that teens don't like the stigma of
being victims of tobacco company
manipulation, so point it out to them.
- Get help. There
are lots of groups that will give you
information and advice, as well as
forming discussion and support groups.
One example is the NOT (Not On Tobacco)
program run by the American Lung
Association. It organizes kids into
groups, then provides counseling and
support. Plenty of similar programs
exist; there's sure to be one in your
community.
Paul J. Braverman is an
APBnews.com correspondent .
Sources: American Lung Association and Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
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