Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and Peel Region and have received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.
Talking to your kids about smoking is a conversation that happens far earlier than you would expect. Whether it’s talking to them about a family member that smokes or a neighbor or someone you see outside a store, business or movie theatre. My boys asked quite young about what people were doing and why they were standing outside.
Coming from a smoke-free house they were not really aware of smoking unless we were out in public.
How to Talk to Kids About Smoking
How did I handle that conversation? Like all parenting conversations – open, honest and age-appropriate.
Studies have shown that parents “who had frequent and quality communication with their teenager about smoking had a consistently positive effect on reducing the chances that their teen will continue to smoke.” (Source: Psychology Today)
Answer your younger kids’ questions about smoking and explain the harmful toxins they are made with, how they affect your ability to run fast/play sports, that they are addictive and once you start it’s extremely difficult to stop. Talk to kids about smoking like you would want an educator to explain smoking to them.
For parents of teens, the conversations about smoking will be much different. Talking about the long-term harmful effects will be more important to your teen rather than your child. Explain how “At least 250 of the more than 7,000 chemicals in cigarettes are harmful to our health, and at least 69 can cause cancer.” (Source: Parents Magazine) Statistics about harm, death, aging, bad breath etc. might appeal to your teens’ desire to be physically attractive and want to step away from smoking. Keep the conversation open and listen to your teens’ questions.
While we as parents cannot change how often our kids see people smoking in public we do have a say in the ratings of the movies they watch.
Join me in the conversation about why films in Ontario should have a new rating system for movies that contain tobacco be rated 18A. A higher rating would ensure that young people would not be able to go to the movies and see smoking on the big screen. It would advise parents that these films are not appropriate for children.
Smoke-Free Movie Facts
- Did you know that 86% of movies with smoking were rated for kids and teens in Ontario?
- Did you know kids are more likely to start smoking if they see it in movies? It’s called a “dose-response” and tobacco companies want your kids to see tobacco in movies because they cannot advertise through traditional methods.
- 185 000 children and teens (0-17) in Ontario will start smoking because of their exposure to onscreen smoking. Statistics show that of those, 59 000 will die from tobacco-related diseases.
What can you do?
Voice your support and power the change by joining me in signing this petition asking that all films in Ontario that contain tobacco receive an 18A rating change.
We know that movies influence kids, it’s time to make them smoke-free. 37% of Ontario youth smokers are recruited by seeing smoking in movies. Learn more about the smoke-free movie movement on Twitter, Facebook and at Smoke-Free Movies.
Wow. It seems really calculating of the tobacco companies when I read the sentence about dose response. I learned something from your post too and I have already signed the petition. I love how you handle questions your boys have. This is how I strive to answer questions here too.
Yes, open and honest conversations are so important. Next step is signing the petition to remove smoking from movies that are under 18A.
We’ve had off and on discussions about smoking (and now vaping) all through the kids’ life. I think they now know all of the dangers and will hopefully make the right choices.
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It’s so important and yes I do need to talk about vaping as well. Would love to see it all removed from movies with a rating lower than 18A
This is very interesting! I signed the petition, strongly opposed to smoking. My daughter did ask me why people smoke and I had to sit down and make sure I told her in a way she understood. A way that would make her NOT ever smoke.
I have to agree that kids/teens see smoking in movies and it makes it look cool. I think it is good to talk to kids about the risks involved in smoking especially starting at a young age and how hard it is to quit. Great message.
Thank you Brianne. So important to help them and what they see in the media.
My daughter is in fifth grade and thinks smoking is disgusting and understands the health ramifications. I just hope she still feels that way when she is in high school and experiences peer pressure to try it.
It sure helps when they have good examples around them, and when they’re learning the facts about why it’s not healthy! For me, I also saw the effects of smoking on a close family member, so I never even questioned that I wouldn’t ever try it!
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I didn’t have any discussions with my parents about smoking. The one who directly told me not to smoke was my doctor. I’m not a smoker and I haven’t smoked even once. I acquired my hate from smoking because of my father. He smokes a lot and my mother doesn’t know anymore how to make him stop. Maybe some of the actual reasons why some parents don’t talk about smoking with their kids is because they themselves smoke. And that’s just so sad.
Totally agree. Great points.