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ASK A TEEN or ASK AN EXPERT
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A PARENT ASKS:
You should talk to your daughter about this, and tell her your feelings, and
the history of smoking. I used to smoke, but then I watched this really scary
movie on smoking and its effects, I think you should find something like
that, and show her, and tell her all the effects of smoking. Then get
some help for her, and maybe even get into a group where the both of you can
learn.
I am a freshman in college and I have smoked cigarettes since I was in 8th grade. My parents had an idea that I was smoking but they never really knew. The always suggested that it was not a good idea. They never pressured me or threatened me and that was a good technique. I stopped smoking recently but it was my choice. I think that you should keep a distant but somewhat voiced concern for now. Once I got to college, the image of smoking was something that was lowered in my eyes. No matter what you think, your daughter will not stop smoking because of something you do or say. The decision is hers, but you can help her decision by letting her know your feelings about smoking in general. You say your daughter is fifteen. If the issue of boys is something that she is concerned with, maybe you could show her somehow that girls who smoke are very unattractive to guys. That is a definite fact.
A TEEN ASKS:
Well, I smoke too, and I'm really trying to quit 'cause this is the worst thing I could possibly do. What I've found to work is find yourself other things to do, like play an instrument, or do something that takes energy. I know because I play guitar and Skate/snowboard to get it off. It's working. And if you're a guy, then it's not cool, I know 'cause that's why I started, and if you're a girl, it's not attractive cause I see girls smoking and it's disgusting. And
about your friends, if you quit, they'll quit too, it's already happening in my group of friends. People are quitting. Set the example.
I know where you're coming from. It's really hard. I've quit a dozen times. Your friends are going
to smoke until they want to quit. Don't make a big deal about it with them because then you're
infringing on their personal freedom. Also, remember that it's not a matter of whether your
friends smoke or not, you're going to have to deal with a lot of things that make you want to
pick up a smoke. It's really a matter of will power.
Be the one in the group to get healthy. If you find the people in your group make it
too hard to quit, try hanging out with other people sometimes, without totally neglecting your
smoking friends. Try to convince all of your smoking friends to work together, help each
other, quit.
Maybe you can become better friends with your peers who don't smoke. It will help
motivate you to stop.
I think that you should really try to quit because it is easier now that you are younger
and haven't been smoking for too long, and maybe ask one of your friends if they are trying
to quit that you both can try together, because it would be easier with a friend for support.
Well, this sounds like a matter of self-control. If you truly want to stop, then you will,
you just many need some help along the way. Try the [nicotine] patch or gum. Even if that
doesn't work for you, it's the trying that counts, and eventually you'll succeed.
Just look at a 70-year-old suffering from emphysema-and you will never smoke again!
You might suggest that you and your friends try to quit together.
A TEEN ASKS: Dr. Jamie Ostroff, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, responds: Addiction is the medical term that we use for when you feel like you have to smoke, that you're hooked. We know that it involves both psychological and biological factors. We know that one of the many chemicals that are in cigarettes is nicotine, which goes straight to work on the brain to create a dependence on it. Essentially, when you're addicted to cigarettes, you've kind of lost control. |