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Study finds that parents are an important part of preventing cigarette use in teens

By Staff Writer

In the past, researchers have found that parents who teach their children the dangers of smoking and enforce punishment for the act can prevent teens from using cigarettes. Recently, officials from Cincinnati's Children's Hospital Medical Center found that even as youths get older, it is important for parents to enforce anti-smoking practices.

Officials analyzed over 3,000 teenagers who did not smoke between 1999 and 2001 and then again between 2002 and 2003 to see if they remained nonsmokers over time. The study found that throughout the years, most parents unfortunately eased up on their rules against smoking.

However, parents who continued to preach against cigarette use were able to decrease their children's risk of smoking by as much as 30 percent, according to the study.

If parents allow their teens to smoke cigarettes, there is a good chance that they will continue to do so until adulthood. Kids Health reports that about 90 percent of adult smokers started the habit when they were teens.

Parents who have teenagers that are struggling with an addiction to cigarettes or another drug should consider enrolling their children in a schools for troubled youths to prevent future substance abuse problems.

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