Finding the time to talk to your kids about not smoking may seem challenging, considering all of the other important topics you need to discuss with them, yet it is critical in helping your kids avoid smoking.
Kids whose parents regularly talk to them about not smoking are less likely to smoke.
Parents Who Smoke
"...parental admonitions against smoking and drinking are effective even in families in which the parents engage in the behaviors."
- Johnson PB and Johnson HL. Reaffirming the power of parental influence on adolescent smoking and drinking decisions. Adolescent & Family Health, Spring 2001, 2(1):40-41
- Johnson PB and Johnson HL. Reaffirming the power of parental influence on adolescent smoking and drinking decisions. Adolescent & Family Health, Spring 2001, 2(1):40-41
"Regardless of whether or not their parents smoke, kids are less likely to smoke if their parents talk with them [regularly] about not smoking." - Jackson C and Henriksen L. Do as I say: Parent smoking, antismoking socialization, and smoking onset among children. Addictive Behaviors. 22(1), 107-114. 1996.
Some parents who smoke feel uncomfortable about talking to their kids about not smoking. Don't let this deter you from talking to your kids. Research among kids with parents who smoke, shows that the kids with parents who talk to them about not smoking are less likely to smoke.
Since kids with parents who smoke are at an increased risk of smoking, it is especially important that parents who smoke continue to have these conversations with their kids throughout their adolescent years.
This PSA brought to you by The Substance Abuse Council. For more information on this subject visit http://www.philipmorrisusa.com/en/prc/