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Teen smoking: How to help your teen quit smoking
Teens who smoke are likely to turn into adults who smoke. Here's a no-nonsense approach to stopping teen smoking.
By Mayo Clinic staffTeen smoking is a big deal. After all, teens who smoke are likely to turn into adults who smoke. If you find your teen smoking, take it seriously. Stopping teen smoking in its tracks is the best way to promote a lifetime of good health.
Start talking
Sure, you could simply tell your teen to stop smoking. It's an important message. But commands, threats and ultimatums aren't likely to work. Instead of getting angry, be curious and supportive. Ask your teen what made him or her start smoking. Perhaps your teen is trying to fit in at school, or maybe your teen thinks that smoking will help relieve stress or pressure. Sometimes teen smoking is an attempt to feel cool or more grown-up.
Once you understand why your teen is smoking, both you and your teen will be better equipped to work on smoking cessation.
Encourage your teen to share his or her concerns
The consequences of smoking — such as cancer, heart attack and stroke — are real. But teens who smoke aren't likely to respond to lectures on the long-term dangers of smoking. Instead, you might ask your teen what he or she considers the negative aspects of smoking.
Once your teen has had his or her say, you might offer your own list of negatives. Consider appealing to your teen's vanity:
- Smoking gives you bad breath.
- Smoking makes your clothes and hair smell.
- Smoking turns your teeth and fingernails yellow.
- Smoking makes you look pale and unhealthy.
- Smoking leaves you with a hacking cough and plenty of phlegm.
- Smoking zaps your energy for sports and other favorite activities.
Of course, smoking is also expensive. Help your teen calculate the weekly, monthly or yearly cost of smoking. You might compare the cost of smoking with electronic gadgets, clothes or other items your teen considers important.
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