Teen smoking is a serious issue to be handled immediately. Nevertheless, teens who smoke may turn into adult smokers. It is a difficult task to make your teenager stop smoking as they are young and they want to experiment each and everything in this world. Parents need to be patient in this issue and handle them patiently and calmly.
What are the ways to quit my teen from smoking habit?
1. Talk to your teen
Enquire your teen about how he/she started smoking. May be your teen is trying to cope with other kids at school or perhaps your teen assumes that smoking will help relieve his stress. At times, smoking is an effort taken by your teen to show world that he/she is more grown-up. If you find out the reason why your teen likes to smoke, then you may prepare to deal with smoking as a serious issue. In addition, with your help, your teen will quit smoking in due course. Some teens smoke in order to lose weight or to feel good about them. You might also explain your teen about how tobacco companies try to pressurize ideas about smoking.
2. Stay patient
Domination, ultimatums and threats will never work with teenagers. It will make your teen annoyed and he/she will try to hide this habit from you. As an alternative, be inquisitive and helpful.
3. Be against smoking
Say ‘no’ to smoking habit. You might feel as if your teen does not respond to your word. Still, say it. Tell your teen strictly that smoking is never permitted. This may have more impact than you think. It is more effective in teens who feel intimate to their parents.
4. Be a good leader
Teen smoking is a very common issue among teens whose parents are also associated with smoking. If you are a parent who is addicted to smoking habit, then stop immediately. If you quit smoking early, then your teen is less likely to become a smoker. You can ask your doctor about several ways to quit smoking. Make a habit to stop smoking at home, in the car and especially in front of your teen. Never leave cigarettes at home or wherever your teen might spot out. Make your teen understand how guilty you feel because of the smoking habit and how difficult it is to stop this habit. Tell him that you will keep on trying until you quit smoking permanently.
5. Ask questions
You can ask them questions like what are the other things are you interested in? Why do you like smoking? Do you know the health risks of smoking? Etc.
6. Explain the cost
Explain the money they spend for smoking. Make them calculate the amount they spend to smoke every week, every year. This may make them feel the importance of money later in their life. You may weigh against the cost of smoking with that of clothes, electronic gadgets or other teen needs.
7. Request for your teen’s pride: Explain your teen clearly that smoking habit is not alluring. Ring a bell to your teen that smoking is filthy and stinking. Tell him/her that smoking may give him/her bad breath and wrinkles in young age itself. Make him/her understand that smoking makes his/her hair and clothes stink and turn his/her teeth yellow in color. Tell him/her that he/she might get unremitting cough and have less energy for sports and other teen activities.
8. Tell your teen about the health risks
Give explanation to your teen about the possible long-term effects of smoking, such as heart attack, cancer and stroke. Show your friends, loved ones, neighbors or even celebrities who destroyed their life due to their smoking habits.
9. Help them
You can help your teen to quit smoking by taking them to the doctor and giving him the appropriate ways by which he can stop smoking. Sometimes, nicotine patches and other pills prescribed by the doctor may help them.
10. Teach them to handle pressure
Practice your teen to handle tough social circumstances. Ask them to say words like, “No thanks, I don’t smoke” when some of their friends offer them a puff. The more your teen rehearses this fundamental denial, the more likely your teen will say no to cigarette everywhere.
