Tobacco Use: An Introduction

It can be difficult talking to your kids about risk behaviors like tobacco use, and it’s easy to feel as if your words don’t make a difference. But, in fact, you are a very influential factor in your children’s decision-making process—sometimes even more so than their friends. That’s why it’s so important to start talking about tobacco use while your kids are young, to tailor your approach to their stage of development, and to continue the conversation throughout their adolescence.

Did You Know?

• Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States.¹ In fact, it has been estimated that more Americans die from cigarette-related illnesses than from alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.²
• Nearly 23 percent of high school students report having smoked a cigarette in the last month.
• Almost one in six high school students say they smoked a cigarette before the age of 13.³
• Each day, more than 2,000 adolescents become smokers.⁴
• Teens who talk to their parents first when they have serious problems are less likely to become regular smokers.⁵

While it can be tough to start the conversation, open communication is the key to making sure your children make smart choices about tobacco use and other risk behaviors. By starting early, you can help lay the foundation that will help your child develop the resistance skills needed for staying smoke-free.