Opportunities for Tobacco Prevention Discussions.

If your child is age 0 -4:

• ask smoking habits of household members
• ask secondhand smoke sources
• ask about secondhand smoke from fireplace, woodstove
• ask about smoke alarms

  assist parents to go to smoking cessation programs

• assist with quit date and follow-up by nurse

If your child is age 5-9:

• ask about lost school days due to frequent respiratory infections
• ask about parents and friends smoking
• ask about how you feel about smoking or chewing tobacco
• ask if tobacco is discussed in school
• ask what they thing about Joe Camel
• refer parents to smoking cessation programs
• help with quit date and follow up
• stress the importance of parents as smoke-free role models

If your child is age 10-13:

• ask what they would do if someone was smoking in front of them
• ask if they thinks it looks cool to smoke ore chew
• ask if they would ever try smoking or chewing tobacco
• ask if they are thinking about it
• ask if they have tried tobacco
• encourage parents to watch habits of children's friends
• encourage parents to have open dialogue and role plays
• consider signing 'tobacco-free' contract

If your child is age 14-18:

• ask if their friends smoke or chew
• ask why their friends smoke or chew
• ask have they tried to buy tobacco
• ask if they have tried cigarettes or chewing tobacco
• ask if they know it is illegal to purchase or possess tobacco products if they are under 18
• encourage teens to take a stand against the tobacco establishment
• refer to teen smoking cessation programs.

General Questions to think about and ask with your children:

• Why do your friends smoke or chew?
• Have you tried to buy cigarettes or chewing tobacco?
• Have you tried cigarettes or chewing tobacco?
• Do you know that it is illegal to purchase or possess tobacco products if you are under 18.

Preventive Activities:

• Compliment tobacco-free behavior.
• Discuss/reinforce refusal skills.
• Emphasize reasons not to smoke or chew:

Health hazards

• Appearance (yellow teeth and nails, bad breath, clothes smell)
• Compromised lung capacity effecting sports performance
• Tobacco product expense Advertising effects-impact of media on behavior

Free New Hampshire Alliance at 1-800-852-3345, extension 6891.