Tobacco Use Prevention

Steps to help prevent youth tobacco use.

Follow these tips to do your part.

• Talk to your kids about smoking and vaping. Start as early as you can and keep the conversation going as they get older. Listen, don’t lecture, but do your homework so you can give objective reasons why smoking and vaping are bad ideas — not just, “Because I said so.”
• Cover all tobacco use, not just cigarettes. Explain that vaping, smokeless tobacco,  hookah and e-cigarettes all have dangers, including nicotine addiction.
• Prepare them for peer pressure. What will they say if a friend offers them a cigarette or e-cigarette? Brainstorm possible answers so they’ll know what to say before it happens. 
• Be a good role model. If you smoke or vape, now’s the time to quit. When they see how hard it can be, you’ll provide a cautionary tale for their future.
• Insist on a smoke-free home. Don’t allow family members or friends to smoke in your home or car. Keep the places where your child spends the most time smoke-free zones.     
• Support them in quitting. If, despite your efforts, your child develops a smoking or vaping habit, help them quit. There are many resources available to assist them (see our Resources page).