“How can I get my son to quit smoking?”
My son is 14 years old and I recently found out that he has started smoking. What can I do to get him to quit the habit?
3 Answers
Keep him busy elsewhere. Distraction helps, besides the other strategies suggested by his physician.
Teen smoking: How to help your teen quit
Want to stop teen smoking? Follow this no-nonsense approach, from setting a good example to making a plan and celebrating success. By Mayo Clinic Staff <https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-this-site/welcome>
If you find your teen smoking, take it seriously. Stopping teen smoking in its tracks is the best way to promote a lifetime of good health. Set a good example.
As a parent, you're a powerful influence in your teen's life. However, if you smoke, your teen might interpret your actions as an endorsement for the behavior. Ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and resources to help you stop smoking.
In the meantime, don't smoke in the house, in the car or in front of your teen, and don't leave cigarettes where your teen might find them. Explain how unhappy you are with your smoking, and why it's important to you to quit. Start talking
Tell your teen how much you want him or her to stop smoking. It's an important message. But keep in mind that commands, threats and ultimatums aren't likely to work. Instead of getting angry, ask your teen what made him or her start smoking. Perhaps your teen is trying to fit in at school, or get your attention. Sometimes teen smoking is an attempt to feel
grown-up.
Want to stop teen smoking? Follow this no-nonsense approach, from setting a good example to making a plan and celebrating success. By Mayo Clinic Staff <https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-this-site/welcome>
If you find your teen smoking, take it seriously. Stopping teen smoking in its tracks is the best way to promote a lifetime of good health. Set a good example.
As a parent, you're a powerful influence in your teen's life. However, if you smoke, your teen might interpret your actions as an endorsement for the behavior. Ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and resources to help you stop smoking.
In the meantime, don't smoke in the house, in the car or in front of your teen, and don't leave cigarettes where your teen might find them. Explain how unhappy you are with your smoking, and why it's important to you to quit. Start talking
Tell your teen how much you want him or her to stop smoking. It's an important message. But keep in mind that commands, threats and ultimatums aren't likely to work. Instead of getting angry, ask your teen what made him or her start smoking. Perhaps your teen is trying to fit in at school, or get your attention. Sometimes teen smoking is an attempt to feel
grown-up.
Where is he getting them from? Try to stop the source because he should not be able to buy them. If parents or grandparents smoke or he is around someone that smokes it is harder to quit. Try to show him the harm it does to his body. If he is a daily smoker he may need patch or gum to help slow down and stop use.
