Tobacco is an addictive stimulant that is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase or consume in the United States. Smoking tobacco can have mental, physiological, and legal consequences to any users, but especially to users under 18 years of age. This does not stop many teens (and even preteens) from using tobacco, however. As a parent, recognizing the warning signs of adolescent tobacco use is vital. If your child is smoking, this page provides helpful information about how to quit. If your child doesn’t smoke, this page provides information on how to avoid starting and why avoiding tobacco is a good idea.

PAMF Content for Parents

• HealthWise KnowledgeBase: Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse


• Teens and Cigarettes

PAMF Content for Your Preteen

• Smoking


• Smoking Help Hotlines

PAMF Content for your Teen

• Addiction


• HealthWise KnowledgeBase: Quitting Tobacco Use


• Smoking and Tobacco


• Smoking Help Hotlines


• Stimulants


• Tips for Quitting


• What Are the Risks


• What Is Tobacco?

Outside Resources

• Cigarette and Marijuana Smoke Hurts Young Lungs: This family Web site for parents describes the recent progress against cigarette smoking as well as new products and the heated disputes and reactions to those products. It also includes an outline of likely users, local action and additional resource links.


• NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse: The National Institute on Drug Abuse Web site was created to help and provides advice to teens. The site presents information on the science behind drug abuse and includes animated illustrations, quizzes and games.
• The Health Consequences of Smoking: This is a link to the surgeon general’s 2004 report. It is a great interactive Web site for parents and teens and includes resources to view 360° models of smoking damage, 3-D visuals to compare healthy organs to diseased ones, information on the benefits of quitting and links to other Web sites.


• Independence From Smoking: For Parents: This Web site, presented by womenshealth.gov, provides information for parents about teaching children the dangers of smoking. It includes helpful suggestions on how to help your child avoid the dangers of smoking, as well as a comprehensive list of outside links.
  
• Smokeless Tobacco: Tips on How to Stop: Advice on how to quit using smokeless tobacco. This document also discusses the health risks associated with smokeless tobacco use and why it is important for the user to quit.

Recommended Books

• Smoking 101: An Overview For Teens by Margaret O. Hyde

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