Parenting Alert: Teen Smoking

One of the most alarming global issues today is teen smoking. Over the years, the number of teenagers who are smoking is continuously increasing. Due to peer pressure or examples set by adults in their surroundings, teens smoke and tend to hide their vice from adults or their parents.

Now, if you have a teenage kid and you are starting to suspect that he or she might be smoking, you may find the following tips helpful to see if your kid actually does smoke:

Be wary of cigarette scent in your teen's clothes.
One way to check if your teen is smoking is to check for cigarette scent in his or her clothes. Another way is to smell his or her hair for stale cigarette scent. Ashes and burn marks are also good signs that your teen might be smoking.

Notice if your teen becomes easily irritable when he or she is spending time with you.
When your teen reacts and acts differently around you, this may be a sign that he or she is showing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. However, such behavior may also be a sign of normal parent and teen tension or pressure.

Notice if your teen frequently chews on gum or uses a mouthwash.
If you always see your teen chewing gum or gargling at random times whenever he or she is at home, your teen is probably hiding the smell or stain of cigarette in his or her teeth and mouth.

Ask your teenager if he or she has friends who are smoking.
If your teenager answers yes and he or she exhibits some signs of smoking, then your teen is most probably using cigarettes as well.

Notice if your teen is asking more money for allowance.
When this happens, it is best to find out what your teenager is spending his or her money on. Also be wary on the things your teen is buying such as cologne and fresheners. These items can be used to cover up the smell of smoke from their clothes and breath.

Check your teen's bag for things or items that can be used for smoking.
These items can be rolling papers, lighters, or matches. Check your teen's bedroom windows for ashes. Also look around the yard for cigarette butts and ashes.

If you find out that your kid is not smoking, then that is good. For you to further discourage your teen from smoking, the following are some helpful ways for you to discourage your teen from smoking:

Smoking does not make one appear or look mature.
Since peer pressure is one of the many factors of teen smoking, try to explain to your teen that smoking does not make a person look mature. In fact, smoking does not give any benefit at all, only health problems. Hence, smoking does not portray maturity at all for teens.

Smoking is one costly vice.
The price of one cigarette may be cheap. But if one computes for the total amount of money he or she spends on cigarettes for a year, he or she may be surprised on the amount of money wasted on nicotine consumption. Explain this to your teen so that he or he may better understand.

Ban smoking in the house.
Another best way to discourage your teens from smoking is to keep your house smoke-free. By not allowing cigarette smoking in your home, your teenager will always keep this in mind even if he or she is not home. Set out punishments so that your teenager will take your rules seriously.

About The Author:
Marco Gonzaga is a content writer and editor who writes for various health and lifestyle magazines. He is interested in the emerging online pharmacy industry. For more information on cheap pharmacy online, visit www.cheappharmacy.ca