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Smoking
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Speaking as the child of smokers (both my dad and my stepdad) - it had a huge effect on my starting (and I started when I was 12). I think we all know that children are generally more inclined to listen to what we do rather than what we say. And, if nothing else, having them around makes it a lot easier for a kid to start because they can just sneak them from the parent (which is what I did).
Quitting smoking is difficult, but not impossible (or even almost impossible). You have a huge incentive to do so - not just to save your own health, but to protect your child's health.
Personal opinion aside, here are a few links for you:
http://www.nym.org/healthinfo/docs/041/doc41.html
"The most important step for preventing smoking in children is for the parent to not smoke. One study reported that preschoolers whose parents smoke are more likely to view themselves as future smokers. "
http://www.canadianparents.ca/CPO/Fa...pf-592024.html
"First of all, children who are exposed to smoking in their home by parents, siblings, and other relatives are at higher risk of smoking themselves, in part because they will model the behaviours they see around them, cigarettes are more accessible to them, and they become accustomed to cigarette smoke over time. If you are a smoker, Lynn Ann Duffley, Director of Public Issues and Communications for the Canadian Cancer Society says "the most influential action you can take to prevent your children from smoking is to quit."
http://www.fhcrc.org/pubs/center_new...y15/sart1.html
"Researchers have found that parents who quit smoking before their child reaches third grade will significantly reduce their child's odds of becoming a smoker by the time their senior year of high school rolls around.
Specifically, if one parent quits by the time the child is 8 or 9, the child's odds of being a daily or monthly smoker at age 17 or 18 decrease by 25 percent. If both parents quit, the child's chances of smoking drop by nearly 40 percent, according to Jonathan B. Bricker and colleagues at Fred Hutchinson and the University of Washington."
http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/040614/d040614b.htm
"Most smoking youth have parents who smoke
Over two-thirds of current smokers reported that their father or mother smoked. In contrast, only about one-third of children who had never tried smoking reported that either parent smoked. In addition, parents were the usual source of cigarettes for 18% of current smokers."
Quitting smoking is difficult, but not impossible (or even almost impossible). You have a huge incentive to do so - not just to save your own health, but to protect your child's health.
Personal opinion aside, here are a few links for you:
http://www.nym.org/healthinfo/docs/041/doc41.html
"The most important step for preventing smoking in children is for the parent to not smoke. One study reported that preschoolers whose parents smoke are more likely to view themselves as future smokers. "
http://www.canadianparents.ca/CPO/Fa...pf-592024.html
"First of all, children who are exposed to smoking in their home by parents, siblings, and other relatives are at higher risk of smoking themselves, in part because they will model the behaviours they see around them, cigarettes are more accessible to them, and they become accustomed to cigarette smoke over time. If you are a smoker, Lynn Ann Duffley, Director of Public Issues and Communications for the Canadian Cancer Society says "the most influential action you can take to prevent your children from smoking is to quit."
http://www.fhcrc.org/pubs/center_new...y15/sart1.html
"Researchers have found that parents who quit smoking before their child reaches third grade will significantly reduce their child's odds of becoming a smoker by the time their senior year of high school rolls around.
Specifically, if one parent quits by the time the child is 8 or 9, the child's odds of being a daily or monthly smoker at age 17 or 18 decrease by 25 percent. If both parents quit, the child's chances of smoking drop by nearly 40 percent, according to Jonathan B. Bricker and colleagues at Fred Hutchinson and the University of Washington."
http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/040614/d040614b.htm
"Most smoking youth have parents who smoke
Over two-thirds of current smokers reported that their father or mother smoked. In contrast, only about one-third of children who had never tried smoking reported that either parent smoked. In addition, parents were the usual source of cigarettes for 18% of current smokers."
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I read this in Psychology Today: If you quit before the child is 8, your smoking will not affect whether or not he/she starts smoking later. HOWEVER, if your child is after 8, he/she WILL be affected by your smoking and will be more likely to smoke himself/herself. QUIT NOW!!!!!!!!!
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Great links, Dragonfly.
All three adults in my house growing up were heavy smokers. I started smoking when I was 14, and finally quit when I was 30. I have been smoke free for 3 years.
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DH still smokes though, but outside and not in front of DS. My mom, on the other hand, smokes around him all the time. DS idolizes her and it really bums me out that she does this. The other day, he picked up the cap to a marker and held it in his mouth like a cigarette, and said he had a "cigarette butt like Grammy."
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I mentioned it to her but she still smokes around him. I'm not quite sure what to do about it. Sorry to go off on a tangent - just meant to say that it does have an effect on the kids.
All three adults in my house growing up were heavy smokers. I started smoking when I was 14, and finally quit when I was 30. I have been smoke free for 3 years.
DH still smokes though, but outside and not in front of DS. My mom, on the other hand, smokes around him all the time. DS idolizes her and it really bums me out that she does this. The other day, he picked up the cap to a marker and held it in his mouth like a cigarette, and said he had a "cigarette butt like Grammy."
Great quotes Dragonfly.
Martzfam27 it is most certainly NOT impossible to quit smoking. Two years ago I was a total nicotine junkie. I am now a non smoker, after getting pregnant with my newest ds. I finally realized that all of the stuff I was telling myself about my kids not being affecting by my smoking was a load of bullshit excuses and I needed to start setting a better example. I promised my dd that I would never smoke again and I fully plan to honor that promise. I am now a nonsmoker and have been for 1 1/2 years.
BTW, my parents smoked too. Guess how old I was when I started sneaking smokes from them. Eleven! Can you believe that. Just two years older than your son is now. I shared with my brother who is 1 1/2 years younger than I. My parents told me the crap about peer pressure and not smoking too as they puffed away on their cancer sticks. My parents don't smoke anymore either.
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Martzfam27 it is most certainly NOT impossible to quit smoking. Two years ago I was a total nicotine junkie. I am now a non smoker, after getting pregnant with my newest ds. I finally realized that all of the stuff I was telling myself about my kids not being affecting by my smoking was a load of bullshit excuses and I needed to start setting a better example. I promised my dd that I would never smoke again and I fully plan to honor that promise. I am now a nonsmoker and have been for 1 1/2 years.
BTW, my parents smoked too. Guess how old I was when I started sneaking smokes from them. Eleven! Can you believe that. Just two years older than your son is now. I shared with my brother who is 1 1/2 years younger than I. My parents told me the crap about peer pressure and not smoking too as they puffed away on their cancer sticks. My parents don't smoke anymore either.
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Thanks for the links Dragonfly!
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I've tried everything to quit, the patch, gum, ect, and even hypnotism. I have made some progress from a pack and a half a day to just one pack. I just can't kick this habit
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. I use to smoke in my late 20's and early 30's but quit cold turkey when I became pregnant and never smoked again. But I took it up again after my daughter died. Now I cant quit this time. It relaxes me and gets my mind off things but I know that's no excuse. It makes me feel worse when my son asks me to quit and I tell him Im trying or that I'm going to stop soon. But I always end up smokeing anyway
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I've tried everything to quit, the patch, gum, ect, and even hypnotism. I have made some progress from a pack and a half a day to just one pack. I just can't kick this habit
Let me preface all of this, Matzfam, by saying that I am NOT a doctor, nor do I work in the health care field, but I have now walked four people through this quit smoking plan, including my dh.
Patches are a great solution, and you DO NOT have to follow the prescribed plan on the boxes.
If the highest patch is still leaving you with cravings (21 mg), add a smaller patch (7 mg), for a total of 28 mg. The important thing is that you do not physically feel any cravings. It helps to get rid of your triggers, too, like coffee or tea or alcohol - things you normally associate with smoking.
Try that for a week, and then step down to 21 mg. Try that for a week or two, and then step down again.
If you find yourself absolutely insane, or you want to go somewhere or do something where it will be very difficult for you to stop smoking, then take off your patches and give yourself a break.
Smoke.
The next morning, get up, and put on a patch.
Keep stepping down with patches until you get to the 7mg patch, the small one.
Try and stay on the 7 mg for a month. Remind yourself that nicotine is actually the least harmful of all the substances you get when you smoke.
At any time, you can pull off your patch, have a cigarette, and then start fresh the next morning. It took my dh a total of six months to completely quit, and when he goes camping with his buddies, he still smokes. When he gets back on Monday, he wears a 7 mg patch for a few days until the cravings subside.
I have also talked my SIL and my brother and my bf's dh through quitting smoking.
I think, personally, that the real key is cutting yourself slack on really really hard days, and just having your fix. It doesn't mean you have to abandon your whole program. Just start again the next morning.
I quit cold turkey when I decided I wanted to get pregnant with my first, and it was hell on wheels. I never went back, but I see that I am lucky, in that my body doesn't seem to have as strong a memory for the hit as some other people. I don't, for one second, think I'm just stronger or better than other people.
It is possible. Seeing it as an all or nothing proposition is what makes it so hard for some people, I think.
You can do it. The patches can be costly, it's true, but not more than the cigarettes, really. If you have the money, it is definitely worth another try.
I hope this post helps you. If I have come across as the tiniest bit superior or judgmental, please forgive me. I wish you the very best.
Kicking smoking is very, very hard.
But it can be done.
Patches are a great solution, and you DO NOT have to follow the prescribed plan on the boxes.
If the highest patch is still leaving you with cravings (21 mg), add a smaller patch (7 mg), for a total of 28 mg. The important thing is that you do not physically feel any cravings. It helps to get rid of your triggers, too, like coffee or tea or alcohol - things you normally associate with smoking.
Try that for a week, and then step down to 21 mg. Try that for a week or two, and then step down again.
If you find yourself absolutely insane, or you want to go somewhere or do something where it will be very difficult for you to stop smoking, then take off your patches and give yourself a break.
Smoke.
The next morning, get up, and put on a patch.
Keep stepping down with patches until you get to the 7mg patch, the small one.
Try and stay on the 7 mg for a month. Remind yourself that nicotine is actually the least harmful of all the substances you get when you smoke.
At any time, you can pull off your patch, have a cigarette, and then start fresh the next morning. It took my dh a total of six months to completely quit, and when he goes camping with his buddies, he still smokes. When he gets back on Monday, he wears a 7 mg patch for a few days until the cravings subside.
I have also talked my SIL and my brother and my bf's dh through quitting smoking.
I think, personally, that the real key is cutting yourself slack on really really hard days, and just having your fix. It doesn't mean you have to abandon your whole program. Just start again the next morning.
I quit cold turkey when I decided I wanted to get pregnant with my first, and it was hell on wheels. I never went back, but I see that I am lucky, in that my body doesn't seem to have as strong a memory for the hit as some other people. I don't, for one second, think I'm just stronger or better than other people.
It is possible. Seeing it as an all or nothing proposition is what makes it so hard for some people, I think.
You can do it. The patches can be costly, it's true, but not more than the cigarettes, really. If you have the money, it is definitely worth another try.
I hope this post helps you. If I have come across as the tiniest bit superior or judgmental, please forgive me. I wish you the very best.
Kicking smoking is very, very hard.
But it can be done.
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I am so sorry for your loss.
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I wonder if you've spoken to a doctor about this? I know there is at least one medication for depression (though I can't recall the name at the moment) that has the side effect of helping people to quit smoking by reducing cravings, as well.
It might be worth a shot.
Originally Posted by Martzfam27 Thanks for the links Dragonfly!
I've tried everything to quit, the patch, gum, ect, and even hypnotism. I have made some progress from a pack and a half a day to just one pack. I just can't kick this habit
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I wonder if you've spoken to a doctor about this? I know there is at least one medication for depression (though I can't recall the name at the moment) that has the side effect of helping people to quit smoking by reducing cravings, as well.
It might be worth a shot.
Martzfam, practice makes perfect so you don't need to wait, just quit for little periods to start(don't think of it as forever, more like half a day or whatever). I quit smoking almost 10 years ago for the second time. I am so happy and it was so hard I won't ever take another puff! The antidepressant medicine dragonfly mentioned is called Zyban(wellbutrin) I used the gum on and off before finally quitting. My dad smoked when I was little and I hated it so much I don't know why I took up the habit.
Zyban is a prescription medication designed to help smokers quit more easily than without the drug. It comes in a pill form. It does not contain nicotine
Zyban's history is interesting. Smokers who happened to be users of the anti-depression medication Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) often reported a lessening in the desire for cigarettes. Through further testing, the drug was found to be effective in treating the smoking addiction, and helping smokers quit
A good suggestion.
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Thanks eveyone, for the responces
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: Right now Im on Zoloft for depression but Im not sure if it has anything to do w/ this. I didnt realize kids start smoking so young, 11 years old and even younger? I can't even imagine my son smoking. Like other posters have said they got them from their parents when they were younger since there so easy to get. Its something my son wouldnt do... Or at least right now... I adopted him when he was 6 and he's always known me as a smoker. Im affraid he might think its okay to smoke since Mommy does it. I just hope its not to late to get the point across to him
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Wow, it sounds like you are willing to do what it takes for your son not to smoke.
He will appreciate you quitting for another reason. It will prolong your life. You will live to see grandchildren and graduations and weddings and all the good things. My dad quit when I was two, the age my son is now. I know it's the reason he's alive today, with all his inherited heart issues. He is the world's most wonderful, affectionate grandfather. Every day I am grateful that he managed to quit in his early 30s. I know your son will feel the same. Even though it seems like a childish thing that he's asking you to quit, he knows the score, and he loves you.
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He will appreciate you quitting for another reason. It will prolong your life. You will live to see grandchildren and graduations and weddings and all the good things. My dad quit when I was two, the age my son is now. I know it's the reason he's alive today, with all his inherited heart issues. He is the world's most wonderful, affectionate grandfather. Every day I am grateful that he managed to quit in his early 30s. I know your son will feel the same. Even though it seems like a childish thing that he's asking you to quit, he knows the score, and he loves you.
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My husband smokes (outside) and both of our kids know the facts on smoking. Both think it's gross, and neither is interested.
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Edited to add: My mother also smoked my whole childhood, and I have never done it.
Edited to add: My mother also smoked my whole childhood, and I have never done it.
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388 Posts
Both of my parents smoked. My mom quit temporarily when she was pregnant with both me and my sister and then again stopped w/ my brother but was able to not go back.
Dad on the other hand smokes like a chimney.
For my sis and me (there is only 16mo between us and then 6yrs between my and my brother) we remember very well our paternal grandfather having severe emphysema (sp?). All he could do is sit at the dining room table on oxygen and play solitaire. And the main STILL was smoking! GRRR. PopPop made a HUGE impression on both of us and neither of us even THOUGHT about smoking...and still are very adamently against it.
My brother however was too young to remember him and started smoking in his late teens. So he probably falls more in the pattern of most children of smokers than sis and I do.
Good luck... the first step to quitting I know is wanting to do so... that is why my dad is still smoking...
Hugs,
Dad on the other hand smokes like a chimney.
For my sis and me (there is only 16mo between us and then 6yrs between my and my brother) we remember very well our paternal grandfather having severe emphysema (sp?). All he could do is sit at the dining room table on oxygen and play solitaire. And the main STILL was smoking! GRRR. PopPop made a HUGE impression on both of us and neither of us even THOUGHT about smoking...and still are very adamently against it.
My brother however was too young to remember him and started smoking in his late teens. So he probably falls more in the pattern of most children of smokers than sis and I do.
Good luck... the first step to quitting I know is wanting to do so... that is why my dad is still smoking...
Hugs,
Quote:
Ditto this, except my dad didn't quit until he was in his early 50s, after his second heart attack. He's sustained permanent damage, but I'm certain that quitting smoking is the reason he's still alive and able to be an active part of our lives.
Good luck to you.
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Originally Posted by captain optimism My dad quit when I was two, the age my son is now. I know it's the reason he's alive today, with all his inherited heart issues. |
Good luck to you.
Quote:
Sorry to serial post, but just wanted to say that I also used to think that my parents' smoking was disgusting. It didn't stop me from eventually starting and smoking for a very long time.
My brother, on the other hand, has never smoked a cigarette.
It's a crap shoot. I wouldn't want to take the chance.
Originally Posted by UnschoolnMa My husband smokes (outside) and both of our kids know the facts on smoking. Both think it's gross, and neither is interested.
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My brother, on the other hand, has never smoked a cigarette.
It's a crap shoot. I wouldn't want to take the chance.
another child of a smoker who smoked. i quite 13 years ago after smoking for 7 years. i loved it and quitting was soooo hard. i had to change everything in my life (i even moved states!) to be able to do it so i can imagine how hard this must be for you. you have lots of good suggestions here!
my life has given me two more reasons to suggest you quit smoking:
when i was 27, my non-smoking mother died of lung cancer caused by my father's chain smoking for 25 years
my father now has alzheimer's with smoking as a contributing factor. compared to alzheimer's, it seems like dying from smoking may not be the worst result.
my life has given me two more reasons to suggest you quit smoking:
when i was 27, my non-smoking mother died of lung cancer caused by my father's chain smoking for 25 years
my father now has alzheimer's with smoking as a contributing factor. compared to alzheimer's, it seems like dying from smoking may not be the worst result.
another child of a smoker who smoked. i quit 13 years ago after smoking for 7 years. i loved it and quitting was soooo hard. i had to change everything in my life (i even moved states!) to be able to do it so i can imagine how hard this must be for you. you have lots of good suggestions here!
my life has given me two more reasons to suggest you quit smoking:
when i was 27, my non-smoking mother died of lung cancer caused by my father's chain smoking for 25 years
my father now has alzheimer's with smoking as a contributing factor. compared to alzheimer's, it seems like dying from smoking may not be the worst result.
my life has given me two more reasons to suggest you quit smoking:
when i was 27, my non-smoking mother died of lung cancer caused by my father's chain smoking for 25 years
my father now has alzheimer's with smoking as a contributing factor. compared to alzheimer's, it seems like dying from smoking may not be the worst result.
Quote:
Same here...both of his parents were smokers, and 5 of the 6 kids are/were too.
Niether of my parents smoked, and 2 of the 3 of us do (not me!) as do both of my stepsisters but niether of my half sisters...hmmmm...
Originally Posted by UnschoolnMa My husband smokes (outside) and both of our kids know the facts on smoking. Both think it's gross, and neither is interested.
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Niether of my parents smoked, and 2 of the 3 of us do (not me!) as do both of my stepsisters but niether of my half sisters...hmmmm...
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My mother has smoked my whole life. I always thought smoking was disgusting and knew all the horrible things it could do to you. Even so, I smoked a few times when I was a teenager. I'm not sure what kept me from becoming a smoker. I guess it just wasn't in my karma. Would I have even tried smoking if I hadn't grown up seeing my mom do it? I can't say.
What I CAN say is that I have, unfortunately, always seen my mother as weak-willed because she constantly announced that she was going to quit smoking and never has. Now that I am an adult I understand the mechanics of addiction, but I still can't shake the idea that my mom just didn't try hard enough (or care enough). I had a very rough time when I was 8-10 and was convinced that if my mom just loved me enough, she would quit smoking. I was convinced that she was going to get lung chancer and die and that she just didn't love me enough to do anything about it. All of these thoughts when I was a child definitely affected my respect for my mom. Please don't jump on me for being so judgemental. I was just a child, and I was terrified my mother was going to die. (I still worry about it!)
My best advice? Don't rely on "Do as I say, not as I do."
Namaste!
What I CAN say is that I have, unfortunately, always seen my mother as weak-willed because she constantly announced that she was going to quit smoking and never has. Now that I am an adult I understand the mechanics of addiction, but I still can't shake the idea that my mom just didn't try hard enough (or care enough). I had a very rough time when I was 8-10 and was convinced that if my mom just loved me enough, she would quit smoking. I was convinced that she was going to get lung chancer and die and that she just didn't love me enough to do anything about it. All of these thoughts when I was a child definitely affected my respect for my mom. Please don't jump on me for being so judgemental. I was just a child, and I was terrified my mother was going to die. (I still worry about it!)
My best advice? Don't rely on "Do as I say, not as I do."
Namaste!
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