Smoking Kills!

Researchers at Dartmouth College have found that children with smoker parents were 4 times more likely to purchase cigarettes, when compared to children with non-smoker parents.

The findings, acquired through a role play scenario involving a miniature grocery store, suggest that children are highly attentive to their parents’ smoking habits, and are more likely to regard smoking as appropriate and normal behaviour in social settings, thus resulting in a higher likelihood of them picking up the habit later on in life.

The results of the study appear to be congruent with the findings of a student health survey conducted in 2006, which showed that a significantly higher percentage of youth smokers (59%) had at least one parent who smoked, as compared to the non-smokers (34%).

To highlight the strong influence of parental smoking behaviour on smoking behaviour in children, campaigns have been launched by various boards and committees in many parts of Asia. These campaigns target to reach out to parents by emphasising how parental smoking can impact the future generation.

“Parents who smoke may know that their habit can affect the health and development of their child. However, they may not be aware that it can also influence their child’s future behaviour. We hope to encourage parents who smoke to quit the habit early in a bid to reduce the possibility of their children picking it up in future.’ said V Prema, Deputy Director, of an international Health Promotion Board.

These campaigns also include avenues that parents can turn to, for assistance to quit smoking. These include hotline services, websites and movements at workplaces, for instance, to raise awareness and provide information and support to those who want to quit.

You can get more information at http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/default.asp?pg_id=1207

Smoking affects both your children’s health and future behaviour. Stub it out today.

theAsianparent Conversations. Jump in!