5 Ways to Communicate with your Kids About the Dangers of Using Tobacco

Disclosure: Tobacco Free New York State sponsored this post as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. Opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.

Because Our kids have seen enough, it is time to take action and protect kids our children from being exposed to tobacco products in stores

– sign the pledge today!

Due to the fact that smoking is still commercialized our kids are seeing it portrayed as cool on television, in the movies and even at our local supermarkets/gas stations.  Everywhere you turn are commercials and ads talking about the dangers of using tobacco but in the same turn, it is glamorized by some of the celebrities in movies that our kids look up to.

Did you realize that the average age of a new smoker in New York state is 13 years old?  During the early teen years, kids are more apt to try something new.  This can be to fit in with their peers or possibly the pressure of being a part of a group. If that isn’t shocking enough the use of e-cigarettes grew 160% among high school students.  This could be due to thinking it is safer, or a better alternative.

5 Ways to Communicate with your Kids About the Dangers of Using Tobacco

1.  Instead of doing the scare type tactics explain to them why starting smoking does not benefit their health. You can do this by saying although you can’t see your lungs on the outside you will feel the effects of what it does to your lungs.  They will notice that running, hiking or even walking a distance is harder or more strenuous after they start to smoke.
2. Smoking will not only discolor their teeth but in time their teeth will be more susceptible to breaking or possibly sore gums. This is more of a long term effect after years of smoking, but once a person starts it is very hard to quit.
3. While their bodies are still growing smoking can affect the way different parts of their bodies develop.  It will cause their lungs to mature quicker but not in a healthy way.
4. Smoking can cause circulation issues in your body as you get older.  This can lead to heart issues, circulation in their legs can be affected over time.  They may think ‘that won’t happen to me’ but the fact of the matter is once they start, especially at such a young age they are bound to have a tougher time quitting the older they get.
5. Smoking can age a person’s looks.  If you look at some people that have smoked from a very young age, they appear older than they really are.  Smoking will, over time create damage to a person’s skin (especially in their face).

Our kids need to know that smoking is not a game and can have long term effects on how they grow and become an adult.

Although my own children are now adults and none of them smoke, I want to make sure my grandchildren understand the dangers that smoking can cause.  I have smoked on and off since I was 17.  I never smoked while I was pregnant for any of my children and I do not smoke in our vehicle or house.  It is something that I started to do out of a joke that led to me continuing to smoke for very many years.  It isn’t something I want them to try or start because I know from experience just how hard it is to quit.

See Also

Preparing for Your First Year of College

You can learn more about “Seen Enough Tobacco” campaign at the links below:

• Tobacco Free New York State Site
• Tobacco Free New York State Facebook
• Tobacco Free New York State Instagram
• Tobacco Free New York State Twitter

So if you are like me you will want to sign the pledge today  and let

New York know you have seen enough tobacco.