Teenage Smoking

Teenage smoking is a problem that many parents have to deal with and according to statistics, each day, there are about 3900 children under the age of 18 start smoking. Teenage smoking is believed to be widespread in kids with behavioral problems such as violence and drug and alcohol abuse.

One thing you ought to realize about teenage smoking is the fact that it does not only affect children that belong to other people but may also affect your kids. The pull factors in teen smoking are peer pressure and sensational advertising. It is likely that your teen kids will be attracted to take up smoking if they observe their favorite superstars smoking on TV. It is also possible they will start smoking if the pals they hang out with and/or attend school with smoke.

There are many reasons why teen kids take up smoking and the chances of your children starting to smoke are high if you as the parent smoke. Teen kids also start smoking because of low self-image or self-esteem and 13 to 19 are very crucial years in this case. It is at this age that the kids get to know whom they are and try out many different things smoking being one of them in an effort to fit in with their peers. As a way of handling stress, the teen also takes up smoking in other cases while teenage girls turn to cigarettes in an effort to lose weight. Teens also start smoking since tobacco products and cigarettes are available. The reason why teenage smoking is on the increase has to do with the fact that the children have easy access to the cigarettes.

You can prevent teenage smoking in a variety of ways and the first is educating your child on the danger of smoking.  You need to start when the child is very young but you also ought to be a good example to your children.  This means you must never smoke in front of your kids and you must also never leave cigarettes lying about since they may be enticed to try them out. 

All the same, if your kids have already taken up smoking there are ways you might be able to assist them and you may for instance look for professional assistance.  Physicians may give details on the aids that children may use to quit smoking but you ought to frequently converse and comfort your kid.  Stopping smoking is not one of the effortless things in the universe so tell the children you will offer your support no matter what.

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