Trudy, many parents have experienced the same problem with curious young children. They offer the following advice as possible ways to handle the situation.

… I am a non-smoker and my husband is a smoker.

When out two children were about the same age as your children they were caught smoking with friends. What I did was give them one whole cigarette to smoke, and made them inhale harder than one would normally. This made them quite ill and though they wanted to stop, I made them finish their smoke under my supervision.

But that’s not all. During the next few days I acquired every photo I could of smoke-damaged lungs, tastebuds and fingers. I also collected literature of related diseases. But one side won’t work without the other, as their curiosities will take over. It worked for me, and I hope it does for you.

L.M., V. ($100)

… I have four children and they have all had a little go at smoking.

My husband and I both smoke, but we don’t encourage our children to smoke. We try to explain to them the bad things that smoking can do to their bodies and we are both sorry we ever took it up.

I don’t think your husband is doing the right thing by giving them a packet of cigarettes and telling them to smoke the lot. It would be better to explain to your children what smoking can do to them.

It might be a good idea if you could get a video on smoking and let the children watch it.

P.H., NSW. ($25)

… I, too, caught my boys smoking at an early age.

Each one was told sternly that they would not be given their weekly pocket-money if they used it on cigarettes.

I sat each boy down and asked him to promise not to try smokes again until he had left school and was earning his own money. Now that they have all grown up, only one lad began to smoke at high school, and the other two never started at all and are now 18 and 20.

A.M.E., NZ. ($25)

…Most children and teenagers will be caught smoking secretly at least once in their lives.

They see so many adults smoking, seemingly with enjoyment, and curiousity takes over. How we react to the ‘crime’ is all-important. Forcing the child to smoke a whole pack, or a cigar, and become ill, will not have any long-term effects. Discussing the health dangers and the high cost, in a calm manner, plus giving the reasons why you choose not to smoke, will have more impact over time.

Speak to the teachers and principal at your school about plans they may have for anti-smoking, anti-drug lessons. Most education departments have resources such as videos and drug awareness kits. It is human nature that when we are told not to do something, we are tempted to do it. Show your children from an early age that it takes tremendous courage not to use drugs in any form, but don’t make too great an issue out of an example of childish curiosity.

M.S.M., SA. ($25)

1. What’s the problem in Trudy’s family? How common is it?

2. Sum up the advice given by the readers. Which of the advice may help, do you think? Which advice would you follow if you had the same problem? What advice would you offer Trudy?

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16