Tobacco and Your Kids

Tobacco and Your Kids

"According to a recent survey, parents tend to greatly underestimate the impact tobacco has on their own children," says Department of Human Services Commissioner Kevin W. Concannon.

"Parents have to realize what a formidable opponent the Tobacco Industry is "says Bureau of Health Director Dr. Dora Anne Mills. "Most Maine parents have warned their children about tobacco once or twice, but the tobacco industry spends $14 million to reach children every day. One conversation is not enough! We’re asking parents to take the issue of smoking among children seriously, and make tobacco the subject of an ongoing dialogue in the home."

Maine parents have special reasons to voice their concerns. Our state has the highest tobacco addiction rates in the U.S. among young adults. It is estimated that 39% of high school students smoke, with 7,000 Maine children (under 18) becoming daily smokers each year. If current trends continue, nearly 31,000 Maine children will die from smoking-related diseases.

Tobacco Facts for Parents

12 Tips Experts Offer for Talking to Your Kids About Smoking

Don’t assume kids will learn to be smoke-free at school – they may be educated about the health risks, but kids decide whether or not to smoke for emotional reasons.

Let them know how you feel about smoking – kids are more comfortable knowing that there are boundaries, and they can’t know the rules unless you tell them.

Kids do listen – they may feel a need to rebel at first – but they will value the message, especially coming from you.

Make an emotional appeal – telling them how hurt or disappointed you would be by their smoking has more impact than reasoning with them about the health dangers.

Know that peer pressure is often used as an excuse for smoking – it may provide an opportunity to start, but kids continue to smoke for individual reasons.

Be a good role model – if you do smoke, explain that you know it’s a bad habit and ask them to help you stop.

Limit their ability to buy cigarettes – if necessary, cut all sources of income so they can’t buy tobacco. This may mean fixing a lunch instead of giving them lunch money.

Have extended family support to keep kids smoke-free – often older brothers or sisters or other relatives introduce them to smoking.

Don’t believe that smoking is safer than "something else" – most kids are at real and greater risk from smoking than from other dangers. Don’t fooled by the notion that it is just a phase.

Don’t let your children see and handle your smoking materials.

It’s never too late to intervene – kids are flexible, they can change for the right reasons and you can make a difference.

Get involved! Work with schools and local organizations to promote programs for keeping kids off tobacco and to demand tough rules around tobacco sales, advertising, and environmental exposure.

From research conducted with children and parents about smoking by Pamela I. Clark, PhD., Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.