Why do children start smoking? It’s attractive, like a forbidden fruit of paradise. Even if the child does not like it too much, there is a risk that, under the influence of fashion or best friends, the new discovery will become a habit. Therefore, it cannot be ignored.
A bad habit can linger forever if someone smokes in the parental home. However, before you start an informing “scandal” about the dangers of smoking, you need to be patient and understand the child.
Promoting the negative effects of smoking on health is a good method that will work if it started long before a cigarette was in a child’s pocket. If these words have not been heard before, simply take the side of the discoverer.
What to do if a child tries to smoke
Every child, even when he knows about the shortcomings of cigarettes, will not refuse to test them. It is good if this is noticed in time, in this case it is easier for parents to stop the development of a bad habit.
If the child has been smoking for a long time, you will have to make an effort. You can fight the habit with the help of distracting ways – lollipops, chewing gum, sports, reading and thorough preparation for school subjects.
The risk of a younger smoker in the family increases when he sees his parents smoking and breathes smoke that is unpleasant for the lungs every day. According to research, the best way to stop smoking is to lead by example. If you want to keep your child healthy, give up a bad habit, no matter how difficult it is.
It is easier for young people to quit smoking than adults because their bodies are more resilient. The exception is children who have no idea of goals and high self-esteem, as a rule, they are from dysfunctional families, where the mere fact of the presence of a cigarette is a normal phenomenon.
Preventing the appearance of cigarettes in a child’s pocket is easier with the right conversation, where there is no place for insults and condemnation.
The child began to smoke – get rid of a bad habit
Start the conversation calmly and confidently. To begin with, formulate your state in words – “I would be glad if you did not do this anymore.” Ask him if he enjoys smoking and point out that cigarette smoke is not only a threat to his health.
Do not threaten punishment, this will lead to stubbornness and unwillingness to listen. It is not necessary to inform about lung cancer, it is unlikely that this will “hurt” the conscience of a teenager .
Express the opinion that cigarettes are a blow to the wallet, especially for pocket money, in addition, clothes will always stink, and the smell from the mouth will not seem very pleasant to others.
How can I stop my daughter from smoking? Point out during the conversation that smoking increases the risk of thrombosis and varicose veins, which increases the chances of infertility. Tell about the problems that arise when trying to get rid of a bad habit from your experience or loved ones, while being careful not to cause a negative reaction.
Do not take away cigarettes, the child must give them back and assure that he will never touch them. If he broke his promise, try to seek help from loved ones, talk to his friends who are of the right opinion.
In exceptional cases, you can seek the help of a psychologist.