Q & A

Got a question? Find the answers on this page.

Question 1

Q: My mom/dad has been smoking for a long time and I really hate it. What can I do to make them stop smoking?

A: The first thing you need to understand is the power of nicotine addiction. It's not something that anybody can give up easily. On average, it takes at least six tries before an adult can finally quit smoking. And the same way you don't want to be nagged or preached to, parents don't respond very well to it either.

The best thing you can do is be honest with them, give them educated reasons, and don't go into it laying down expectations. Another good idea is to research the facts and the options. There are a lot of new and improved quitting methods and maybe there is something out there your parents didn't know about or didn't consider. Showing them that they have options proves that you care about them quitting and you're willing to help and support them when they do decide to quit.

Question 2

Q: I've been thinking about starting to smoke. All of my friends smoke so I feel like I should too. Is that wrong? Will they stop being my friends if I don't?

A: There's nothing wrong with wanting to do the same things as your friends - but does every single one of you like the exact same bands, watch all the same TV shows and like the same ice cream? Probably not. So it should be fine that not everyone in your group of friends smoke. This may sound like a cliché, but it's true: if your friends don't respect your choices, they must not be very good friends. You are your own person and capable of making your own choices - you don't need your friends to make them for you. Remember, non-smokers are actually the majority so you won't have any trouble finding more friends that respect your choices.

Question 3

Q: My grandmother has chain-smoked for 30-something years and she doesn't have cancer. In fact, she's in great health. How is that?

A: It's the same reason one person can eat one fry and gain like a pound and another can eat a whole burger and stay thin. Everyone's body reacts differently. But do you really want to take that chance? Just because your grandmother looks and feels great on the outside, doesn't mean that she is healthy on the inside. Can anyone react positively to inhaling crap like formaldehyde, arsenic and ammonia?

Question 4

Q: I just started dating a guy that I really like, but he smokes. Cigarettes have killed a few people in my family and I don't know what I should do. Should I tell him that if he won't stop smoking, I won't see him anymore?

A: Ask him not to smoke around you, and maybe carry some gum or something for that rank smoke breath. Maybe once you get to know him better, you can explain why it's so important to you, and how much it would mean if he quit. But if he can't respect you enough to not smoke around you in the beginning, then it's probably time to nip this relationship in the bud and go solo.

Question 5

Q: I saw my older sister/brother smoking. Should I tell my parents?

A: You should talk to her or him about it first. Maybe it was just a one-time thing or she's already decided she doesn't like it. If she admits she does smoke, or if you see her smoking again, tell her how you feel. Give her some time (about a week), and if she doesn't look like she's going to quit, let her know that your parents have to know. Give her the choice to tell them herself, but if that fails, give your parents a heads up.

Question 6

Q: My parents smoke in the house. Is that bad for me?

A: If your parents smoke in the house it may/will have negative health repercussions for you. Second-hand smoke kills more than 1,000 Canadians a year. The cigarettes that your parents smoke contain about 50 chemicals that can cause cancer. When your mom and/or dad smoke in the house or car, the smoke that they blow out from the cigarette and that you inhale is known as second-hand smoke. You're breathing in the deadly toxins. Being in a smoking environment can lead to respiratory problems and, in the long run, may even cause death.

Talk to your parents about it. Tell them that it bothers you that they smoke, that you don't like it and that you want them to quit. A good starting point would be to ask them to SMOKE OUTSIDE!

Source: Br 20

Question 7

Q: How am I supposed to tell all my friends smoking is bad without looking like a lamewad?

A: Did you know that the tobacco industry wants you to smoke? They are trying to replace those people who are dying because of their product with you, the youth - their target market! You have the money and the lips - so they want you! Are you sure you're willing to buy into a product that is intended to kill you?! Think about it.

Question 8

Q: I know smoking is bad for you, but what about smoking weed? Is that OK?

A: Well, anything that you light up and smoke is unhealthy for you and we can't imagine that frying your brain cells to get "buzzed" is totally natural. Obviously smoking weed is illegal for a reason and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Question 9

Q: All of my closest friends smoke. How do I quit and still keep my friends?

A: Quitting smoking is a difficult thing to do. However you should be able to make that important decision knowing that your friends are supporting you. Essentially it comes down to how determined you are to quit this obviously bad habit. Your friends should respect your decision and do the courteous thing by also making the effort not to smoke around you.

Question 10

Q: How does the industry manipulate us?

A: The tobacco industry manipulates us in so many ways. The industry has learned to target new smokers in a more indirect way. As you've probably noticed, ads for cigarettes are not on TV or in teen magazines. This is because it's illegal now, so instead they target a market a bit older than teenagers by sponsoring events. They target people that we look up to, to get them to start smoking so we'll start too. They try to sell us a lifestyle, to show smoking as something glamorous. But how stupid do they think we are?

Question 11

Q: I'm afraid my younger sister is going to start smoking. I used to smoke and she looks up to me. How do I discourage her from starting without looking hypocritical?

A: You should just talk to your sister about it. Make sure you don't sound preachy; talk to her like a friend, not an older sister. Explain why you don't think smoking is the right choice, and how it has affected you. There is no way to not sound hypocritical with this, not in her eyes, but that's life, right? The choice is hers in the end, but remind her that smoking affects everyone around her.

Question 12

Q: My best friend's dad drives me to swim practice every day. But he smokes in the car and I can't stand it. Should I speak up? What should I say or do?

A: If you're comfortable with telling him and it doesn't cause conflict, you should ask him to stop smoking around you. If you are not comfortable, ask him politely to leave the front windows open for fresh air. Or if it really bothers you, you can arrange a ride with another person.

Question 13

Q: I'm 14 years old and I really like this older guy. I know he smokes, so I was wondering, if I start smoking, will he think I'm older than I am or more mature than the other Grade 9s?

A: First of all, don't start smoking because you think it will make you more mature; it doesn't. If you end up dating this guy and start smoking just because he does, then you're taking a big chance. If you happen to break up with him then you're stuck with an addiction that other people look at as a flaw.

Question 14

Q: Why do I have to spread the message? If people want to smoke, I say let them. Why would I waste my breath?

A: If you don't smoke and believe it's wrong, why not help make a difference to the polluted world we live in? Second-hand smoke kills thousands of people every year and you could be one of them. You can try saving your breath, but your lungs are being polluted whether you smoke or not. Many people also don't know that they have a lot of influence on other opinions and choices. Just by stating that smoking isn't cool, you're influencing the decision of your peers and children younger than you.

Question 15

Q: Two of my friends tell me they smoke because it helps reduce their appetite. I feel I need to lose a couple of pounds because I'm going to Daytona Beach over the March Break and I want to look good in my bikini. If I take up smoking, will I lose that extra weight?

A: First of all, what happened to being an INDIVIDUAL and not doing what your friends say? You need to be yourself and make decisions that benefit YOU. Studies have shown that people who smoke often have a higher body weight. This is not to say that you will gain weight - everyone's body is different and will respond differently. But if you do smoke, it is unhealthy and not worth the addiction and damage to your health. Is that really what you want? To trade in something you find unattractive for a habit that is also unattractive and harder to overcome? There's no easy fix for getting into shape. You have to eat properly and exercise and in no time you'll be kicked into the body of your choice. Just remember, smoking is not the answer.