Parent Resource Center
You may feel uncomfortable about bringing up the subject with your kids if you smoke. Don’t let this stop you.
Children whose parents smoke are much more likely to be smokers than children whose parents who do not smoke, as you can see in the chart below.11. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001). Changing adolescent smoking prevalence. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph 14, 85-89.,22. Philip Morris USA Youth Smoking Prevention (2007). Teenage Attitudes and Behavior Survey – 2006 Results. But research shows that kids whose parents quit smoking are almost one-third less likely to smoke.33. Farkas, A.J. et al (1999). Does parental smoking cessation discourage adolescent smoking? Preventive Medicine, 28, 213-218. And kids whose parents talk to them regularly about not smoking are less likely to smoke, even if their parents smoke.44. Jackson, C., Henriksen, L.,(1997). Do as I say: Parent smoking, antismoking socialization, and smoking onset among children. Addictive Behaviors. 22(1), 107-114 So it’s crucial that you talk to your preteens and teens about the issue clearly, openly and often. The checklist at right can help you identify some key points to consider before your next conversation.
“I smoke, but then I tell you not to. Does that seem inconsistent?”
It’s a myth that you can’t talk frankly about smoking with your teen just because you smoke.
Explain why you don’t want him to use tobacco and that you want him to have a healthy life. Don’t be
afraid to admit it if you wish you hadn’t started smoking. Your child will respect your honesty.
“I notice that you haven’t complained about my smoking lately. Why is that?”
Often, young children who complained about their parents’ smoking grow into teens who are silent on the matter.
This doesn’t mean they won’t try it. Factors like peer pressure and the accessibility of cigarettes might
lead them to try smoking. Just because they’ve stopped talking about it doesn’t mean you should.
For tips and information on quitting smoking, check out some of the public health resources listed in the Helpful Links section, or visit the QuitAssist™ Information Resource at www.philipmorrisusa.com
Next Topic: What Do You Say?Text in this section from: Raising kids who don't smoke (2005)
Download free publications from the Raising Kids Who Don't Smoke parent resource series.
