Barnabas Hospital Urges Parents to Talk to Children About Tobacco Use

The school year is in full swing and parents and children are adjusting to new schedules, after-school activities and home work. How many parents are taking time out of busy schedules to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction? The fact is, most adult smokers started before the age of 19, when parents can have an influence on the choices their children make.

“The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids predicts that more than 6.3 million children, under age 18, who are alive today, will die from smoking-related disease, unless current rates are reversed,” explains Connie Greene, Vice President, Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention (IFP). The IFP offers a state-wide Tobacco Treatment Program. “The time to talk to your kids about tobacco use is now, no matter what their age,” she adds.

Barnabas Health IFP’s Tobacco Treatment Specialists offers these tips to parents to help start the conversation.

• Be aware of opportunities to start the conversation - when driving to sports practice, after school or watching TV, especially if there is an anti-tobacco commercial.
• Help your child say “no” to tobacco use by discussing ways they can handle situations when peers are smoking or using tobacco products. Your child’s school counselor is a good resource for tips.
• Avoid the temptation to lecture, instead ask questions.  Age appropriate questions that can lead to good discussions include:
  • Ages 6-8: “What have they taught you in school about the dangers of smoking?”
  • Ages 9-11: “Why do you think some teens smoke even though they know it’s bad for them?”
  • Ages 12-15: “What do you think when you see kids smoking?”
• Parents have more influence on their children than anything or anyone else, so set a good example by not using tobacco products when with your children.

If you are ready to quit, or simply thinking about it, IFP will provide you with the support and tools you need to succeed. In addition to coaching from trained Tobacco Treatment Specialists, IFP’s tobacco quit program offers a customized quit-smoking plan; ongoing individual, group and/or family counseling; up-to-date information on the latest prescription and non-prescription smoking medications; effective tools to reduce withdrawal symptoms; and weight and stress management strategies. 

For more information, please visit www.instituteforprevention.com or call 973-926-7978 or 732-886-4149.

The mission of the Institute for Prevention is to reduce the factors that place individuals, families and communities at risk, and to promote healthy lifestyles.