Smoking & Nicotine / Question
Published: April 27, 2007
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm 14. Both my parents are heavy cigarette smokers, and have smoked all my life. They often smoke over 2 packs a day. They have smoked around me and my little brother, who is 11, since before I can remember. I've learned all I can about second hand smoke, and I nag them to stop constantly. They admit it's bad, but refuse to stop. The smoke is horrible. Our walls are stained yellow with tar and every piece of furniture we own has been permeated with the smell. I can't even go to school without my friends and teachers asking me why my clothes smell like smoke! What I'm worried about is: Can I get addicted to the nicotine by being smoked around constantly?? If I can, how can I get them to stop? This has been bugging me since I was 8 years old- please help.
Signed: Parents Are Heavy Smokers
Dear Parents Are Heavy Smokers,
TeenHealthFX is sorry to hear that your parents are such heavy smokers – for their sake and for yours – but we do want to commend you for being responsible enough to realize how unhealthy smoking is for you. Unfortunately, secondhand smoke is very dangerous, especially to children. It increases risk of asthma, allergies, bronchitis, nasal congestion, increased mucus production, colds, coughs, sore throats, ear infections, and pneumonia. Secondhand smoke can also play a role in becoming addicted to the nicotine present in cigarettes. However, the fact that you are already aware of the risks from smoking decreases your chances of beginning to smoke.
TeenHealthFX realizes how difficult it is to persuade your parents to quit smoking. Your parents will make their own decisions about this in the end, but there are a few things you can do. First of all, you can print out this question and answer for your parents so they can be clear about how much their smoking is physically hurting you and your brother. You could use this information to impress upon them the importance of quitting, and refer them to the smoking cessation hotlines listed below that can help them to stop smoking. If your parents are adamant about continuing to smoke, you can ask them if they would think about at least not smoking inside the house or in the car when they are with the family in consideration to your and your brother’s well-being, as this would significantly decrease the amount of smoke you inhale. You can also make a promise to yourself that you will not begin smoking. Because you are already at risk to becoming addicted, we recommend that you do not ever give smoking a try. Good luck and again TeenHealthFX is proud of you for being aware of the risks of smoking cigarettes.
Cessation Hotlines:
American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345
The ACS offers information on local cessation programs and provides smoking cessation literature.
National Cancer Institute at 1-800-422-6237
The National Cancer Institute provides literature on smoking cessation. While they provide individuals to go over the literature with callers, they are not trained
Signed: TeenHealthFX
A comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggests that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depressive and anxiety disorders.
