Childhood Smoking

Childhood smoking is unfortunately not a thing of the past, but a very real problem today, with some kids starting to smoke at around the age of 11 or 12 or even earlier.

It is estimated that about 60% of American children having tried smoking before they leave school.

While adults are now much more aware of the dangers of smoking and many are stopping, the majority of new smokers are under the age of 18.

The earlier that children become habitual smokers, the more likely it is that they will become addicted and that in the long term, smoking will kill them. In fact, more than 5 million of today's children can expect to die prematurely from diseases related to smoking. And 90% of adults who still smoke had their first cigarette before the age of 18. (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids)

In the UK, around 1% of 11 year old children are regular smokers, but by the time children reach 15, that figure has risen to 21%, with an estimated 300,000 regular smokers in the 11-15 age range. (BHF)

Reasons for Childhood Smoking

There are a number of reasons for childhood smoking, including peer pressure, the need to rebel, the desire to experiment, the belief that smoking is cool, and the fact that other members of their family smoke. If you are concerned about your children smoking, the best thing to do is set a good example and if you are a smoker, stop smoking yourself. Otherwise, try talking to them, but in an open and non-confrontational way. Make sure they are aware of the dangers, but don't give them a hard time.

Preventing Childhood Smoking

As with many bad habits, preventing childhood smoking is better than curing it. So if your children are not smoking, there are things you can do to help make sure it stays that way.

Remember what it was like to be a teenager? You didn't want to listen to your parents and were likely to do the opposite of what they told you to do. So being heavy handed and constantly telling them not to take up smoking is probably not the right way to approach this. Discussion about smoking when it comes up should be used to encourage children to make up their own minds, by presenting them with the facts and allowing them to see the consequences.

Getting your kids involved in regular exercise at an early age is a good way of preventing them taking up smoking. They'll get out of breath quickly if they smoke and do strenuous exercise and thus are less likely to try smoking.

Try being more interested in them and what they want to do with their lives. Encourage them to develop their talents and the skills they enjoy. Helping them to feel better about themselves and to become more fulfilled will make it easier for them to recognise and stop habits which are harming them and in many cases will stop them taking up habits like smoking in the first place.

Dealing with Childhood Smoking

If your children are already smoking, it's important to treat them with understanding and try to find out why they are doing it. If you tell them off or say you are disappointed in them, you will only make them angry and possibly lower their self esteem – which may be low already.

Try to help them with any difficulties they are having which might be the root cause of their smoking and make sure they are aware of the consequences, without being judgemental. Show them that you love and respect them whether or not they smoke and don't punish them.

Kids don't think about death and the sorts of illnesses they could develop because of smoking – they think they are invincible. Make a point of spending time with your children and listening to what they have to say. Do things they enjoy together, whether it's playing computer games, going to a football match or playing in the park.

If you are really interested in your child's life, hopes, dreams and ambitions and support them in doing what they want to do, rather than forcing them to do what you think they should do, they are much more likely to have a healthier outlook on life and this will make it easier to give up childhood smoking.

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