Tips for parents re SMOKING

Tips for Parents
Every day in the U.S., the tobacco industry spends nearly $36 million on advertising and promotions. (“Truth” Campaign)

Counter-marketing activities can play a role in increasing smoking cessation, reducing smokeless tobacco use, decreasing the likelihood that people will begin smoking cigarettes, and reducing nonsmokers’ exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Discuss with kids the false glamorization of tobacco on billboards and in other media, such as movies, TV and magazines. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Remind children about the immediate downsides to smoking: less money to spend on other pursuits, shortness of breath, bad breath, yellow teeth, and smelly clothes. (Barbara Homeier, MD, Nemours Center for Children's Health Media)

Talk directly to children about the health risks of tobacco use; if friends or relatives died from tobacco-related illnesses, let your kids know. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Start the dialogue about tobacco use at age 5 or 6, and continue through your child’s high school years. Many kids start using tobacco by age 11, and many are addicted by age 14. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Discuss ways to respond to peer pressure to smoke. Your child may feel confident simply saying "no." But also offer your child alternative responses such as "It will make my clothes and breath smell bad" or "I hate the way it makes me look."(Barbara Homeier, MD, Nemours Center for Children's Health Media)

Maintain a smoke-free home. A smoke-free home makes children less likely to smoke, even if their parents smoke. By not allowing anyone to smoke in their homes, parents not only make smoking less convenient for their kids but also make a powerful statement that they believe smoking is undesirable.(Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids)

PROTECT YOUR KIDS!
BE BLESSED,

PR