If you do smoke, stop. Let them know that no one in your family is allowed to smoke. Some teens do not know how to handle the peer pressure to smoke. Make sure your teen has an answer ready when someone offers them a cigarette. For example, they could say, I can t afford cigarettes.
Smoking just isn t cool.
Let your children know they can come and talk to you about their struggles and pressures without you overreacting. Instead of becoming frantic if they tell you someone tried to get them to smoke, talk with them about how they felt, what they said and what they might wish they had done differently. If your teen s friends smoke, they are much more likely to begin smoking. Listen as they explain to you what they think and why they feel the way they do about smoking. If your teen is tempted to start smoking, help them understand the health risks they will face.