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Preteen smoking
Our 11-year-old admitted to smoking after his dad found ash on the coffee table. His father smokes outside, and for the past couple of weeks my son has been emptying the ashtray, which seemed harmless enough. We thought he was just being nice. I asked the boy after Dad began to get suspicious. Our son told the truth and said he had tried a few of the cigarette butts. What should we do?
Now, I want to encourage you to take action. It is important to talk to children about tobacco. First, I congratulate you for having created the sort of family climate in which your 11-year-old son could admit he had tried smoking. I think you should praise your son for his honesty. Then, let the discussion begin!
You could say that as his parent(s) you feel it is important to talk openly and honestly about tobacco. Give your son a chance to say what he thinks and feels about it. Ask him what he thought of his smoking experience. (He may have gagged and hated it.) Then tell him what you think and feel. Your best chance to influence his behaviour is not by setting rules and making threats so much as by engaging his mind, raising his consciousness and helping him develop good judgment. Of course, discuss the dangers of tobacco with him.
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