In addition to the health risks associated with smoking, share information with your kids about the impact of nicotine on the teenage brain and addiction. Smoking is often glamorized in movies, on TV, and even in cartoons. Talk about these manipulative marketing strategies and have conversations early and often about the “myths vs. realities” of nicotine consumption in real life. Tobacco has many different health effects and talking about the short and long term effects are important. Personal examples from people they know can help kids understand.

For more information and resources about how tobacco impacts youth, visit www.tobaccofreeco.org