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What can you do?
1) TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT
SMOKING
Keep the lines of
communication between your child and yourself open.
Look for opportunities to
raise the subject of smoking - in regard to sport,
smelling and looking good and money management. (Find
out how much smoking cigarettes will cost you!).
Remember most schools
cover smoking at school, talk about what they have
learnt in these lessons, try not to repeat what they
have learnt. They may know more than you!!
Use news items or people
smoking on TV or in films as a way of opening
discussions. This informal method is a good way to
explore your child's views on this issue and it may help
you to identify any changes in their attitude.
Be careful not to lecture
or moralise. Show that you are interested in what they
have to say on the subject and hopefully they will
return the compliment!
2) SET
THE RIGHT EXAMPLE
If you smoke, the best
action you can take is to quit. Research shows that
children are less likely to smoke if their parents or
carers don't smoke.
Discuss the difficulties
of quitting with your child, particularly if you have
tried to quit, but have started smoking again. Be open
and honest about this, reminding them that it would have
been better never to have started.
If you plan to quit ask
for your children's support.
Even if you do not plan
to quit, you can still explain to your children how
difficult it is to do so and how you hope they never
become addicted to smoking in this way.
Don't ask your children
to light up cigarettes for you or to bring cigarettes or
ashtrays to you.
Never leave your
cigarettes lying around, as this may tempt them into
trying smoking.
Don't ask your child to
buy cigarettes for you. It is illegal to sell cigarettes
to children under 16. Shops can be fined up to £2000 if
they are caught selling cigarettes to children.
3)
ASSESS YOUR HOME FOR FIRE RISK
In the UK 200 people
are killed and 2000 injured every year in house fires
caused by smoking. They could be prevented if smoke
alarms are fitted. For more information about Home Fire
Risk Assessments log onto:
www.merseyfire.gov.uk | 
