We have been hearing a lot these days about youngsters experimenting with dangerous substances, often with tragic consequences.
As a young person myself, let me see if I can point out why young people take such risks. Many kids today might be drawn to smoking or drinking or chewing tobacco for many reasons — to look cool, act older, seem tough, lose weight, win cool merchandise, or to feel independent. Sometimes, children get lonely and feel jealous of their friends who go out every day. Different children tackle this problem differently. Some children over-eat and do not do any exercise. This leads to obesity, which causes serious health problems. According to research, over 60 per cent of people in the UAE are obese and that includes children.
If you smell smoke on your child’s clothing, try not to overreact. Ask about it first. Maybe he or she has been hanging around friends who smoke or just tried one cigarette. Many kids do try a cigarette at one time or other, but don’t go on to become regular smokers. If you find that your kids have friends who are a bad influence, do something about it. Your kid wants you to stop him but if you don’t he is disappointed and will get into deeper trouble. Many parents make the error of being tolerant towards ‘troubled teens’ and they see this as a weakness.
If I was to give you a list of ‘how to handle’ us young people, this is what I’d recommend. And these recommendations are from experts in health and on the negative impact of smoking
“Discuss sensitive topics in a way that does not make kids fear punishment or judgment.
“Emphasise what kids do right rather than wrong. Self-confidence is a child’s best protection against peer pressure.
“Encourage kids to get involved in activities that prohibit smoking, such as sports.
“Show that you value your kid’s opinions and ideas even if they are off centre.
“It is important to keep talking to kids about the dangers of tobacco use over the years. Even the youngest child can understand that smoking is bad for the body.
“Ask what kids find appealing, or unappealing, about smoking. Be a patient listener.
“Read, watch TV, and go to the movies with your kids. Compare media images with what happens in reality. Don’t neglect them.
“Establish firm rules that exclude smoking and chewing tobacco from your house and explain why smokers smell bad, look bad, and feel bad, and it is bad for everyone’s health. If you see some change in the behaviour of your child, react, don’t duck it.
“Encourage kids to walk away from friends who do not respect their reasons for not smoking.
“Explain how much smoking governs the daily life of kids who start doing it. How do they afford the cigarettes? How do they have the money to pay for the cigarettes? How does it affect their friendships?”