Will your child also start smoking? As parents, let's be aware of this!

Hello! Today we are going to talk about a very important topic that can greatly affect the future of all of us, especially our children. That is, the risk of children getting addicted to smoking at a young age and what we can do as parents to prevent it. In fact, did you know that many people who smoke cigarettes in adulthood started that bad habit when they were young, that is, during their school years. So, as parents, being well aware of this and talking openly about it with our children will be a great help in saving them from this dangerous danger.

What are the dangers of smoking?

Simply put, a cigarette is a collection of toxic chemicals. Just think, cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, including lead , arsenic , and carbon monoxide . These go straight to our lungs and then spread throughout the body.

The worst thing about it is the chemical called nicotine . It makes a person addicted to smoking very quickly. Some studies say that nicotine is as addictive as hard drugs like cocaine or heroin . That means that after one or two uses, you will want to use it again. It is very difficult to stop.

Here are some of the health problems that can be caused by smoking:

• Heart disease: The risk of having a heart attack is very high.
• Lung diseases: Among these , pneumonia and asthma can become severe. Also, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can develop, a disease that can never be cured and causes difficulty breathing.
• Stroke: This means a blood vessel in the brain bursts or becomes blocked.
• Various types of cancer: Not only lung cancer, but cancer can also develop in places like the mouth, throat, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder.
• Stomach ulcers
• Gum disease: This can cause teeth to loosen and even fall out.
• Eye diseases: Vision may become impaired, possibly even leading to blindness.
• Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)
• Joint problems: Conditions like arthritis .
• Skin problems: Diseases like psoriasis , premature wrinkling of the skin, and skin discoloration.
• Fertility problems: Women may have difficulty getting pregnant, and men's sperm may also be damaged.
• Problems during pregnancy: Low birth weight, premature birth, miscarriage, etc. can occur. It also affects the health of the baby.
• Weakened bones: There is a high risk of limbs breaking and fracturing easily.

Especially when a young child starts smoking, it causes great damage to their developing brain . It can make it harder for them to learn new things, remember what they are studying, and focus. They also become addicted to it more quickly than adults. Nicotine has also been found to cause depression and anxiety in young children. Another dangerous thing is that young children who smoke are also more likely to turn to alcohol, marijuana , cocaine , and other hard drugs like heroin .

It is important to remember that e-cigarettes, or vapes , and hookahs are just as dangerous. They may also contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Doctors say that people who use these have suffered severe lung damage and even death. Similarly, smokeless tobacco (such as chewing tobacco, snuff, and snuff) is also not safe. They can also cause diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Why are young children tempted to smoke?

Okay, now let's look at why our little children, young children, are tempted to do such a dangerous thing. There could be many reasons, more than you might think.

• Sometimes it's okay to be "cool" , to stand out among your friends, to look like an "adult".
• Some people mistakenly think that smoking can make them lose weight .
• Others want to appear "tough" or feel "independent," showing that they make their own decisions.
• The most important and common reason is peer pressure. Imagine, if a child's best friends smoke cigarettes, when they say, "You're the only one who's a baby," the child may think, "I want to do it too." They may not have the strength to refuse.

How do you, as parents, talk to your children about this?

As parents, we have a big responsibility to fight these temptations and prevent our children from smoking and becoming addicted to it. It is very good to work with your child with these points in mind:

• Make it a strict no-smoking policy at home. Explain the reason: Simply say things like, "People who smoke smell bad, they look dirty, they don't feel good, and it's bad for everyone's health." If you are a smoker, avoid smoking in public places, especially in front of children.
• Create a friendly environment where children can talk to you about smoking and their thoughts on the subject without fear of punishment or judgment . Make them feel that you value their thoughts and feelings.
• Ask them what they find attractive about smoking (e.g., hanging out with friends, the 'style') and what they don't find attractive (e.g., spending money, bad breath) . Listen patiently. Listen to what your child has to say.
• Instead of talking about the things your child does wrong, focus on the things they do right and good . Appreciate them. Self-confidence is the best shield that protects a child from the bad influences of peers.
• Discuss how to deal with peer pressure to smoke and how to say no . Your child may simply say, "I don't want to, I don't like it." But also teach them other answers, such as, "It makes my clothes smell, my breath smells, and I can't breathe," or "I don't like the way I look when I smoke." If necessary, let them know that they have permission to distance themselves from friends who don't respect their reasons for not smoking.
• Encourage children to engage in health-promoting activities, such as sports, that are smoke-free.
• Explain how smoking affects a smoker's daily life and how much money they waste . Ask them questions like, 'How do they find money to buy cigarettes every day? How do they have money left over for other things they need, like a book or a toy? How does it affect their friendships and family?'

"Over the years, even as your child grows up, don't stop talking about the dangers of smoking in a way that's appropriate for their age. Even the youngest child can be made to understand simply, 'This is bad for the body, it makes you sick.' "

Oh, what if I find out my child smokes?

Sometimes, no matter how much we tell our children, even though they are well aware of the health risks, they still try to smoke due to peer pressure or curiosity. If this happens, try not to get angry or scold them. It's hard, but doing so can further distance your child from you. Instead, focus on communicating with your child:

• Find out what attracts your child to smoking, why he did it, and talk about it honestly and without anger. Listen to him.
• Often, young children don't understand how the things they do now will affect their health years later. They don't realize it at the time, even if you say, 'I'm going to get cancer.' So, talk about the problems that will happen soon, the things they feel: 'Less money to spend on things they like, difficulty breathing, bad breath, yellow teeth, bad smell from clothes.'
• Keep your no-smoking rules strictly enforced. Never allow smoking in the house.
• If your child says, "I can stop anytime, I'm not addicted," challenge them with a little question: "So if you really think that way, why don't you quit cold turkey for a week and see how it goes?"
• Avoid giving big lectures, constantly blaming, and scolding. Doing so may make them even more stubborn. Ultimately, quitting smoking should be a matter of the smoker's own will and decision.

When your child is ready to try to quit smoking, your support will be invaluable:

• Help him/her make a quitting plan. Praise him/her for making the decision to quit smoking.
• Always remind yourself of the benefits of quitting smoking: freedom from addiction, improved physical health, increased athletic performance, improved appearance, and money savings.
• Encourage your family doctor to see you. They can provide good advice and support, and if necessary, they can also discuss appropriate treatment plans.

If parents smoke...

This is also a very important point. Children very quickly recognize the contradictions between what their parents say and what they do. If you tell your child, "Don't smoke, it's bad," and you smoke yourself, that will make the child distrust you. Many children say that the adult they want to be when they grow up is their mother or father. So your example is very important.

So, if you are a smoker, try doing these things for your child:

• First, honestly admit that starting to smoke was a mistake, a stupid thing to do. Say it in front of your child. Say, "This is a mistake I made when I was young. If I could go back to that time, I would never put a cigarette in my mouth."
• Second, you need to quit smoking. We know it's not easy. It may take several tries, medical advice, and perhaps additional help from a program or support group. But your children will be very encouraged when they see you trying to overcome your addiction to tobacco, when they see you overcoming that challenge. You are their best role model.

There are ways to get the information and support you need to quit smoking. You can do things like seek medical advice, research smoking cessation programs, and seek counseling services if needed.

The most important things we need to remember (Take-Home Message)

In conclusion, I have to tell you that it is everyone's responsibility to protect our children from the dangers of smoking. It can be a big challenge, but it is not impossible.

• Talk openly: Talk to your children about this without fear or judgment. Listen to them.
• Be a good role model: If possible, if you are a smoker, quit. Do the same for your child.
• Make rules: Ban smoking in the home. Enforce those rules equally for everyone.
• Be aware, educate: Stay informed about new trends in smoking (like e-cigarettes).
• Ask for help: If your child smokes, or if you need help quitting, don't hesitate to seek help from a doctor, a qualified counselor, or a support organization.

Let's all work together to defeat this tobacco menace starting today for a healthy, happy future for our children! Have a great day!

` Smoking, Children and Smoking, Nicotine Addiction, Health Risks of Smoking, Parenting Advice, E-Cigarettes, Youth Smoking