Tips for Keeping Young Children Smoke-free

You will find that as your child grows, your conversations about tobacco will change and reflect their growing maturity, intellectual abilities and the pressures they face. Talking about tobacco can help set the stage for important discussions about alcohol, drugs and other risky behaviours.

Tips for Talking to Kids Aged 6 and Under

• Take advantage of opportunities to let your child know about the harmful effects of tobacco. For example, if your preschooler is washing their hands, you might say: "There are lots of things we do to keep our bodies healthy and clean, like washing our hands or brushing our teeth. But there are also things that are bad for us. Smoking cigarettes is one of these. It makes your breath smell bad and makes it hard to breathe."
• If your child is interested in a particular subject such as ballet or hockey, bring that subject into the conversation in a meaningful way that shows them how smoking relates to their interest. For example: "Hockey players don't smoke because it will make it hard for them to breathe when they play."

Tips for Talking to Kids Aged 7 to 11

• When you see someone smoking in a movie or on TV, start a discussion about how cigarettes are used in the movie to make an actor look rebellious or cool. Point out that in reality cigarettes actually cause wrinkles, turn your teeth yellow and make you smell bad.
• Talk to your child about peer pressure. Ask him if he knows what peer pressure is and if he has ever felt pushed by his friends to do something he didn't want to do. By defining and discussing peer pressure, you will help prepare them to deal with it.
• Work with your child to help them practice how to say no.

Other Things You Can Do

• Quit Smoking. By quitting now, you can have a positive influence on your child's future decision not to smoke. Studies have shown that children who observe their parents quitting are less likely to smoke themselves.
• Avoid Smoking Around Your Child. If you are unable to quit, it is important that you help your child understand that it is very difficult for you to quit and that you know it is bad for your health. Do everything you can to avoid smoking around your child.
• Make Your Child's World Smoke-Free. The best way to protect your family from second-hand smoke at home is not to allow the use of any tobacco products, such as smoking of cigarettes, cigars or pipes in your home or car.