What to do to encourage kids not to smoke
Tips to help your child
- If you discover that your son or daughter smokes, start a conversation about smoking as soon as you can. Stay calm and ask why he or she decided to start smoking. Talk, ask questions, but above all, listen. The closer your relationship with your child, the more open and honest your conversation will be.
- Do not blame your child. Make sure he or she knows it is the behaviour you do not like, not the person. Provide information on smoking and its consequences, such as smelly clothes, yellow teeth, the cost of cigarettes, the risk for non-smokers, coughing and other unpleasant side-effects that will make your child think twice before lighting another cigarette.
- Encourage your child to stop smoking. Get him or her to think of reasons why it would be better not to smoke.
- Do not be upset if you find that your child is still smoking, or still has cigarettes. Come back to the subject at the right time, and continue the discussion. Stay calm, but be firm with your arguments; they will eventually have an impact on your child, who knows you only want the best for him or her.
- If your child wants to quit, refer him or her to the iPof website at www.iPof.ca, or call the iQuitnow (j’Arrête) helpline (1-866-527-7383), which provides free personal support and information to help stop smoking.
If your child does not smoke, congratulate him or her on making a good choice. Tell your child honestly what you think of cigarettes. Say you support the choice not to smoke and will always be available to talk about it if ever he or she starts to question the decision. Where necessary, consult the section entitled shocking truths to help convince kids not to smoke, which contains useful information on the effects of smoking.