Teen smoking is an issue that numerous parents have to cope with and according to data, every day, there are some 3900 kids below 18 years start smoking. Teen smoking is believed to be widespread in kids with behavioral problems such as violence and drug and alcohol abuse. One thing you must understand about teenage smoking is that it does not only affect other people’s children but can also affect your children.

The pull factors in teen smoking are peer pressure and sensational advertising. It is likely that your teen kids will be attracted to take up smoking if they observe their favorite superstars smoking on TV. They are also more likely to smoke if the friends that they go to school with and/or hang out with smoke.

There are numerous reasons why teenage children start smoking and if you as parent smokes, then chances are, your children will start smoking as well. Teen kids also start smoking because of low self-image or self-esteem and 13 to 19 are very crucial years in this case. It is at this age that the kids get to know whom they are and try out many different things smoking being one of them in an effort to fit in with their peers.

As a way of handling stress, the teen also takes up smoking in other cases while teenage girls turn to cigarettes in an effort to lose weight. Teenagers also smoke because there is an availability of cigarettes and tobacco products. The fact that kids can access cigarettes with ease is the reason why there is an increase in teen smoking.

Teen smoking could be thwarted in different ways and educating your kid on hazards of smoking is the first. You need to start when the child is very young but you also ought to be a good example to your children. This means you must never smoke in front of your kids and you must also never leave cigarettes lying about since they may be enticed to try them out.

There are ways you may be able to assist your children even if they have already begun smoking and you can seek professional assistance for example. Physicians may give details on the aids that children may use to quit smoking but you ought to frequently converse and comfort your kid. Quitting smoking is very hard and you should let your child know that you will be there for them no matter what.