Identify When a Teen Starts Smoking

Many people start smoking when they are underage and take steps to hide their behavior from their parents. There are some signs to watch for to help identify when a teen starts smoking.

Instructions

Step1

Check for the scent of cigarettes on your teen's clothing. You can also smell stale cigarettes in your teen's hair, although it stays on jackets and fleeces longer. Look for ash and burn marks on the cuffs of coats and long-sleeve shirts.

Step2

Notice if your teen becomes very irritable when you spend 3 to 4 hours with her in your sight. This crankiness can be caused by nicotine withdrawal, but sometimes it can be due to normal teen and parent tensions.

Step3

See if your teen has started to chew lots of gum or use mouthwash when he comes home. He may also start brushing his teeth at odd times during the day in an attempt to prevent tooth stains from smoking.

Step4

Watch what your teen is doing when he goes outside without any real reason. You shouldn't follow your teen, but identify the signs of smoking when he comes back inside.

Step5

Ask your teen if she has any friends who smoke. It may not be your place to alert the other teen's parents, but remember that kids who have friends who smoke are much more likely to pick up the habit themselves.

Step6

Find out what your teen is spending his money on and notice if he is asking you for a few extra dollars each day or weekend. Check to see if he's buying things like air fresheners or cologne to help cover up the smell of smoke.

Step7

Identify items in you teen's backpack or room that could be used for smoking, like lighters, matches and rolling papers. See if there are ashes around the window or if it is often left open at night. Look around the yard to see if your teen is leaving her cigarette butts in one location, like under the porch.

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