How to prevent teenagers from smoking

If you find your teen smoking, take it seriously, but not by losing your temper. Stopping teen smoking in its seed is the best way to gift a lifetime of good health, perhaps to more than one generation. We have some tips around this, it might help you to try them out.  

Be the example you want them to follow 
As a parent, you're a more powerful influence for your teen than you think. If you smoke, your kid will take it as an endorsement more than any ad. Till you can quit, make sure you don’t smoke in front of the children. Also, do not make any moves or say anything that suggests bad habits are coping mechanism for work stress. It’s an excuse that teens would pick up.  

Try to find out why they started smoking  
Commands, threats and ultimatums aren't likely to work as much with teens as with younger children. Try to figure out instead what got your kid started on smoking. Underline that it’s never a ‘casual habit’, and there is no need for them to appear grown-up or try desperately to ‘belong’. If you feel there is a serious mental issue involved, don’t hesitate to ask for medical help. 

Appeal to teen vanity in appearance and wellness 
This method works much better than lecturing teens or taking a moral stand. Teens are a bit appearance conscious and they usually pride themselves, perhaps unconsciously, on their health and fitness. Use this to point out that smoking gives them bad breath, stinky hair and clothing, leaves marks on nails and teeth, and damaged lungs would affect athletic movements.  

Point out the cost factor  
Get your teen to calculate smoking costs per day, week and month. Now compare that with the price of a smartphone, some other smart gadget, a game or anything they value. Once they realise how expensive it is, teens may find smoking really unattractive.  

Discourage electronic cigarettes as an escape route  
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are advertised as a way to quit smoking. These are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid (often containing nicotine), turning it into a vapor to be inhaled. Vaping is even supposed to be cool. But doctors are not convinced how safe or effective this is, so avoid it.