The importance of peers in an adolescent's social world has already been mentioned. Because of the strong desire to fit in, adolescents may adopt behaviors that they think will help them be accepted. Peer influence may wrongly persuade youths that negative behaviors such as smoking can provide them with a social benefit, get attention or make them look tough among their peers. As parents, you have more influence on your children's behavior than you may believe at times. Although they may want to start making their own decisions, they still look to you for guidance and direction.
Parents can strongly reinforce positive peer influence and discourage negative peer influence.
Back to the top You should make it clear that studies show smoking increases smokers' risks for serious diseases. Adolescents will be most responsive to a reasoned, common-sense discussion focused on issues of interest to him or her. A number of different approaches discussed in the following pages can be very effective when used together and applied consistently. Those laws are on the books for a reason. Smoking is intended to be an adult decision.