Many teenagers in the U.S. foster care system smoke cigarettes. If you have considered older child or teenager adoption, or if you have already adopted a teenager then you are probably aware of this. Today, the “Great American Smoke Out” might be a good day to encourage your teenager to stop smoking. Demanding that your teenager stop smoking won’t work, that will only reinforce the habit. Long lectures about the risk of smoking, the smell, discolored teeth, bad breath, the cost, and the inconvenience probably won’t convince a teenager to quit smoking either. So, what will work, how can you help your teenager to quit smoking?

Curiosity might help; find out why your teenager is smoking. If you smoke, offer to try quitting with your teenager. Give your teenager some good reasons why you want to quit at this time. Then set a date to quit and write it down. Have your teenager write down a quitting date along with reasons to quit.

Your teenager should seek support from friends and relatives. Let them know that support and understanding is necessary. Encourage your teen to hang out with nonsmoking friends, at least for the first few weeks. If your teenager feels that medical intervention is necessary, then seek help from your physician and the stop smoking aids approved for teenagers. Be supportive, let them know that having one cigarette isn’t a failure, try, try again.

Go to places where smoking isn’t allowed and stay away from smoking areas. If you have trigger activities, like driving or talking on the phone, chew gum during those times instead. Brush your teeth right after you eat so the urge to smoke won’t be so strong. Drink water or tea instead of soda, cigarettes don’t taste as good with water.

Don’t switch to chewing tobacco instead of cigarettes. It is still addictive, can cause oral cancer, cavities, heart problems, and gum disease.

Help your teenager celebrate each day of success. Take your teenager out to eat for having a smoke-free day, buy some new clothes for a smoke-free week, and plan a sleepover party with nonsmoking friends. Small rewards and plenty of positive reinforcement can help your teenager keep the motivation to stop smoking for good.

Acquiring Older Sibling’s Bad Habits
Secondhand Smoke Effects Not Reversible
Teen Nicotine Use

Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2007