select a video to download
For more information please select a video below.
Each day, nearly 4,800 kids smoke their first cigarette, and nearly 2,000 of these kids will become regular smokers.
You may think your kid isn’t smoking because he or she is too young or too smart, plays sports, has no money to buy cigarettes, complains when you or others smoke, or has seen firsthand the effects of smoking when a family member got emphysema or died of lung cancer.
However, kids experience stress, peer pressure, the desire to rebel, and other characteristics of being kids that make them ideal candidates for tobacco use. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly one in four high school students smoked a cigarette in the past month, and nearly one in six high school students say they first smoked a cigarette before age 13. How about your kid?
It’s time to talk with your kid about smoking. It’s not easy, but it’s important that you do it today. The younger kids are when they start smoking, the more likely they are to get addicted. In fact, some kids have signs of addiction even when they don’t smoke every day.
Most kids who smoke want to quit. But quitting is especially tough for kids because they don’t always know where to turn for help. Your intervention can make a difference. Let your kid know that he or she can talk to you about smoking at any time. The more you open the lines of communication, the more influence you’ll have over your kid, and the more of a resource you’ll become for your kid during the tough times.
- Friends Who Smoke - kids with three or more friends who smoke are ten times more likely to smoke than kids whose friends don’t smoke. Make it a point to know who your kid’s friends are.
- Gum and Mints - kids sometimes use gum, mints, or mouthwash to cover up the smell of smoke on their breath. Kids who smoke may also brush their teeth more than usual.
- Matches and Lighters - kids who keep matches or lighters in their backpacks or bedrooms may be smoking. Matches and lighters are good indicators of cigarette use, even if you don’t find the cigarettes themselves.
- Smell of Smoke - if you smell smoke in your kid’s hair or on your kid’s clothes, there’s a good chance your kid is smoking. If not, your kid is probably hanging out with others who smoke, making it more likely your kid will start.
- Excuses to Go Outside - if you notice your kid making excuses to leave the house for no apparent reason, pay attention. It’s possible your kid is going outside to smoke.
- Perfume or Cologne - kids often try to mask the smell of smoke by using perfume or cologne.
- Febreze™ or Air Freshener - if your kid is using Febreze™ or air freshener on their clothing, in their car, or in their bedroom, your kid may be trying to cover up the smell of smoke.
