Stopping a Teen Smoking

carolan78

I started smoking at 14/15, I would give anything to urn back the clock and never pick them up because all these years later it is really difficult to quit. Even the expense of them now doesn't deter me. Until I was about 21 I could quit if I chose to but I didn't, now every time I try to quit I get to a certain point (usually between weeks 12 and 18) where I would do anything for a cig and I eventually cave. I have tried all kinds of replacement and so far for me they have not worked.

I would get him to read a few of the quit smoking forums out there so he can see what kind of struggles will lay ahead for him in future. Smokers becomes more and more anti social as time goes on. Does he really want to be one of the few at work frowned upon cos he nips out for a fag when he gets stressed? Just get him to look at the realities of smoking once he steps out of school and into the big wide world. They aren't that great, what he would spend on cigs would probably fund a smart little car and insure it each month with cash left over for a night out.

busiscoming2

I am thinking I will show him this thread and maybe all you who struggle to give up will help him think about the long term issues you have and those of you who also have smoking teens, perhaps he will realise it isn't just his parents who are trying to deal with it. IYKWIM.

fluffnutter

Unless he want to give up, there's nothing anyone can do to help. He already knows the risks, and at 15 they're intangible anyway. Teenagers feel pretty immortal; even having a parent who suffered with ill health due to smoking can easily be put to the back of his mind.

Basically, he smokes, and will continue to do so, because it's culturally acceptable within his peer group. That's why he gave up for a while when he met someone who didn't like it. So long as he hangs around with other teens who don't object to smoking, and probably smoke themselves, he won't give up.

All you can do is hope he meets another girl who dislikes it or gets himself some different mates.

Desperado99

My parents (both smokers at the time) went with the 'smoke a whole packet' approach with my brother when he started (and it worked).

Ten years later, my mum died of lung cancer. From the day she went to the GP to the day she died was 3 months. She was only 52 (I know to a teenager that seems ancient) and I never thought she was a particularly heavy smoker.

On her death certificate, it states cause of death as 'cigarettes' (I was really shocked by this).

I've written this in case you do show him the thread, in the hope that it might make a difference. I agree that only your son can decide to stop smoking, no-one can do it for him, although I would actually be sorely tempted to actually set fire to his allowance in front of him instead of the clear jar thing (only once though! I'm not normally one for burning money ).

I wish you the best of luck, and I only hope that it's a teenage fad that he grows out of.

jungle_jane

Smoking is the most stupid thing I ever did and is possibly my only regret in life. That nicotene monster ruined my younger years, cost me more than the cost of a house and took YEARS to quit.

It got to the stage where every fag I lit I used to wonder if this was the one that would trigger lung cancer. It still didn't make me stop.

I finally quit 4 years ago by reading Alan Carr's Easyway to Quit smoking and there is one written especially for parents of teens. http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Stop-Your-Child-Smoking/dp/0140278362/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1You could try that - I am about to buy a copy because my SD16 has started smoking too and I would give anything for her to quit now while she can.

The problem with smoking is that non smokers don't really understand the trap fully so well intended 'cures' like trying to stop them hanging out with certain people won't really work and will only make them do so behind your back, thereby starting a culture of lying.

The thing is that no-one realises how foul nicotene addiction is until its too late and they are hooked. We all made the same mistake with smoking and then regretted it for years afterwards.

onlyroz

I agree that he won't quit unless he wants to - if he does then I'd be supportive and buy him patches, gum etc. If he doesn't then I'd reduce his allowance to the bare minimum, giving him only enough for his bus fares, lunch etc.

FatVonD

I agree peer pressure is to blame but you don't have to be accepting of it. What would you have done if he was 12 and started smoking? It's still just as illegal.

My DSS smokes, he's 16 now and has (according to his sister) been smoking occasionally since he was 11. Last year (when he was 15) he called us as we were on our way to meet him at his nan's house to say 'now mum knows I smoke can you buy me some fags on the way?' We didn't but you're doing him no favours by being accepting of it.

He started because he thought it was cool but is now well and truly hooked and smoking roll ups. He stinks, his clothes stink and when he visits our house stinks even though he smokes outside (it doesn't seem to have affected his popularity with the girls though they all probably think it's cool to smoke too.)

busiscoming2

FatVonD wrote: »

I agree peer pressure is to blame but you don't have to be accepting of it. What would you have done if he was 12 and started smoking? It's still just as illegal.

My DSS smokes, he's 16 now and has (according to his sister) been smoking occasionally since he was 11. Last year (when he was 15) he called us as we were on our way to meet him at his nan's house to say 'now mum knows I smoke can you buy me some fags on the way?' We didn't but you're doing him no favours by being accepting of it.

There is no way we are accepting of it. I am so anti.


He started because he thought it was cool but is now well and truly hooked and smoking roll ups. He stinks, his clothes stink and when he visits our house stinks even though he smokes outside (it doesn't seem to have affected his popularity with the girls though they all probably think it's cool to smoke too.)

He smells, his room smells and his clothes smell. That's what made me suspicious in the first place. Even the fact he thought/thinks he can cover it up with body spray, its such a dirty smell IMO that it is stronger than any fragrance.

1886

My wife smokes and I would love more than anything for her to stop. She says that she smoked when I met her so I knew. When I met her I did`nt love her, did`nt know we would get married one day

The bottom line is that until your son, my wife, whoever actually wants to stop, they won`t. I just tend not to really mention it anymore because it`s not my decision and anything I say is usually quite nasty as it gets me very angry what she is doing to herself

Tish_P

He won't stop nless he wants to, and unfortunately it's very likely that by the time he wants to it will be extremely hard to stop, because nicotine is one of the most addictive substances there is.

My partner and one of my best friends have both been trying repeatedly to give up for the last 10 years and they're neither of them weak-willed.