The American Legacy Foundation and Teenage Smoking Concerns
Teenage smoking is a major issue
The American Legacy for Health Foundation puts a tremendous amount of time and effort into promoting issues related to teenage smoking.
The foundation works tirelessly to discourage young people from smoking because it’s aware of the fact more than 80 percent of smokers take up the habit before their 18th birthday. In 1998 they launched the Truth Campaign in Florida and it proved to be incredibly successful.
A closer look at the results of this campaign showed teenagers were paying attention to the tenets of the campaign and lessons were being learned.
For example, approximately 20 percent of teenagers who were thinking of starting to smoke never begun thanks to the efforts of the advertising campaign.
A study conducted in January 2008 showed the teens exposed to the Truth Campaign were less likely to smoke in the future and were more likely to look upon the tobacco industry in a negative manner. (http://www.legacyforhealth.org/3074.aspx).
Advertising Campaigns Aimed at Teenagers Can Make a Difference:
This shows us campaigns and advertising can have a positive impact to effect change, and teenagers are influenced by advertising if it’s geared towards them in the right manner.
Consider as many as 90 percent of adult smokers admit to starting the habit before they left their teenage years behind. Approximately 2/3 of these individuals were daily smokers by the time they celebrated their 19th birthday. Not much of a birthday gift is it?
Parents and educators play an integral role in stopping teenage smoking. Many different studies have noted that the attitudes, actions and opinions of parents in terms of smoking are transferred to their sons and daughters. Even young children notice when parents don’t allow others to smoke in their homes or cars.
If you set up the right precedent about smoking from a young age, it can carry through the pre-teen years, into the teenage years and beyond.
But what if you’re a Parent Who Smokes?
For those parents who smoke but want to do everything they can to prevent their kids from starting then yours is the toughest situation. It’s difficult to feel authentic to your kids and viewed seriously by them if you advocate one position but take another yourself. You remember how you felt when your parents did that to you, right?
Consider quitting yourself so you don’t come across as a hypocrite to your kids – seek professional help if necessary. Practicing the message you’re communicating to your kids is important in terms of helping them to resist smoking and encouraging a smoke-free lifestyle.
If quitting yourself is beyond your capability at the moment then make sure you talk to your teen about the difficulties your experiencing in ending the habit. Trust your kids enough to allow them to see the struggle it takes to fight addiction and bad habits… and win.
Some Sad Statistics:
It’s a truly sad statistic but approximately 5 million children across the globe die prematurely because of sicknesses associated with smoking. As well, an estimated 1/3 of all teen smokers will die at an early age from diseases directly related to smoking.
The American Legacy for Health Foundation is doing its part and needs the support of us all, including smoking cessation professionals. Help to discourage the start and the continuation of teenage smoking. This is not just an issue for parents and smokers but it’s a serious concern for society that requires effort from everyone to eradicate.
To learn more about the work of the American Legacy Foundation visit their web site at: www.legacyforhealth.org
As always please leave your comments and thoughts in the below section.
Erika Slater
erika@smoke-free-at-last.com
www.Smoke-Free-At-Last.com
508 529 2490
P.S. If you’re a parent who wants to quit and you feel the time is right for you to take that step for yourself then I offer private stop smoking hypnosis Boston sessions in my Massachusetts office. Feel free to contact me at the email address or phone number above to discuss further.
Filed Under: Health
