A child smokes – what should I do?

In this article, we will not discuss what needs to be done to prevent a child from smoking. You probably already know that you can't smoke in the presence of a child and that it would be better to discuss all the temptations of the adult world in advance. Let's start from the situation we have: the child smokes. You found out one way or another. What should I do?
It's always an unpleasant surprise for parents: the child started smoking. What should I do next? The first thought that comes to mind is to shout, punish, and cut off all contact with the outside world, or rather with friends who are "bad influences" or with bad company. Many articles on the Internet discourage parents from taking repressive measures. And that's right. The teenager will only make sure that they don't understand him, don't hear him, don't want to accept him for who he is or how he wants to appear.
But let's think about it, what do you do if you pull yourself together and start a heart-to-heart conversation with your child? First of all, you look unnatural! Secondly, the child sees that you are relatively calm, which means that there is nothing wrong with his misconduct. Is it so? And finally, keeping negative emotions in yourself is simply unhealthy!
Russian and foreign psychologists have repeatedly spoken about the importance of natural and sincere behavior. That is, if you are angry, but you pretend that everything is fine, the child feels it anyway. And sometimes an expressive act (shouting, slapping) can have a much greater educational effect than all the soul-saving conversations and meaningful glances combined.
So don't hold back your first negative reaction! Let's think about it: the child started smoking, he hides it (that is, he knows that it will be condemned and that it is harmful). Besides, how else can you show how upset, disappointed, or scared you are by his choice? However, try not to just scream and shake the air. Identify your feelings. This is a key moment and the first step in combating a child's bad habit. What are you worried about? Listen to yourself and identify your feelings.: "I'm beside myself, I couldn't (couldn't) think that I would have to talk about it!" Please note that there is no pronoun "you" in the exclamations, it is not accusatory. However, you have told the child that you know about his smoking, and also made it clear to him what emotions you are experiencing about it.
So, the first emotional conversation took place. You may even have had a fight. However, now it's time to help the child. Only you and he himself can influence the decision to quit smoking.
[b]How to help a child quit smoking[/b]
As a rule, children do not have time to become heavy smokers. That is, they may not have nicotine addiction. However, there is another problem. For a teenage child, smoking is something that makes him (in his own eyes) more mature, helps him to join the company, feel more confident, and finally just allows him to kill time somehow. Therefore, quitting smoking for a teenager means giving up his new status and position and simply breaking down under the pressure of his "ancestors." Therefore, it is not necessary to appeal to the child from the position of "above", from the position of an adult know-it-all. Of course, you can tell him about your negative experiences. But in the child's understanding, this will look like intimidation or a threat.
[b]How can we help a child understand that smoking should be stopped?[/b]
Option 1. Ask the child why he smokes (not why he started, but why he continues to smoke – these are different questions and we try not to investigate, but to help the child understand himself better).
Option 2. Try to make a table together (two columns: pros and cons of smoking). The disadvantages include: bad breath, health problems, lack of independence (dependence on cigarettes), money spending, etc. And can these advantages outweigh all the negative things that cigarettes bring to a child's life?
Option 3. Contact a psychologist. Often children do something not for the reason that they like, but to spite their parents and their prohibitions. A psychologist is an outsider, uninterested. And his consultation can be a delicate way of helping a child.
[b]How to find out if a child smokes[/b]
Sign 1. The smell. Bad breath is often absent (smokers use chewing gum and candy to fight off the smell). But the smell of cigarette smoke from clothes, hair and hands is a sure sign that a child smokes or was in a smoky room. Don't jump to conclusions and take repressive measures. Was his friend smoking?
Sign 2. Tobacco crumbs in the pockets of clothes and bags. It's a trail of cigarettes lying there.
Sign 3. The child often opens the windows, ventilates the room.
Sign 4. The child began to wash his hands and hair frequently. Join 1xBet today, and as a special gesture, we’ll furnish you with our exclusive 1xbet promo code unlocking even more benefits for your betting experience. Seize the opportunity and enhance your rewards with 1xBet’s exciting promo code offers. 1xBet provides its members with a plethora of captivating bonuses and promotions. Whether you’re drawn to cashback on esports bets, daily jackpots, Lucky Day rewards, or VIP perks, the platform offers a diverse range of opportunities.