To better understand
Available in several forms, including cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, shisha, etc., it can lead to organ damage and cause several different diseases. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Québec.
The nicotine found in tobacco creates a powerful physical and psychological addiction. A teenager can show signs of addiction after just one smoking experience! Nicotine can also alter brain development in teens, affecting their memory and concentration.
Adolescence is a critical period when it comes to experimenting with smoking. Most adult smokers will tell you they started smoking during their teen years.
All very valid reasons of preventing smoking in teenagers and of helping teenage smokers in their efforts to quit.
Smoking and teens in the Montérégie region
- A large majority of young people (86%) have never tried smoking cigarettes.
- Only 1% of young people smoke cigarettes, either daily or occasionally.
- Just 3% of young people use tobacco products other than cigarettes, such as cigars, cigarillos, or chewing tobacco.
Be there for your teen
Tips and tricks
Your teen needs to be able to stand up for themselves! As a parent, you can help them do this by showing them some techniques for saying no:
- Humour: “No, I’d rather do (something ridiculous) than smoke!’’
- Polite refusal: “No thanks, I don’t smoke.”
- Psychology: Return the question to the other person, without judgement: “Why do you smoke?”
- Broken record: Always give the same answer: “No, thanks!”
- Facts: “Did you know that a few cigarettes are all it takes to get addicted?”
In short
- Known to create a powerful addiction, nicotine also has harmful effects on brain development;
- A teenager can show signs of addiction after just one smoking experience;
- Adolescence is a critical period when it comes to experimenting with smoking.
Practical resources and tools
1. For support :
Are you dealing with a situation that worries you? Ask for help:
2. For more information :
- Tobacco-Free Quebec website
- Also see our En mode ado section on vaping: https://enmodeado.ca/en/boite-a-outils/vaping-nicotine/
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