A Dissemination & Train the Leaders Program by Parents, for Parents
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Drugs and Teen Use What Schools Can Do What Parents Can Do What Parent Volunteers Can Do What Parent Leaders Can Do |
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Youth Drug Use
Harms Associated with Problem Use
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Youth Drug Use – Tobacco UseHealth Canada regularly monitors tobacco use by Canadians. Such information is provided by CTUMS for those aged 15 years and older, and the Youth Smoking Survey (YSS), for youth in grades 5-9. Both these surveys report gradual reductions in youth smoking since 1985. However, important sub-groups of youth are still smoking at very high rates and tobacco companies have shifted their marketing towards young adults, who remain susceptible to those campaigns. The decision to smoke or not, or to experiment with smoking, is really difficult for parents to control as their children grow up. But there are ways parents can help them to make the right decision: With Your FamilyKeep your relationship with your kids on track Be involved in what they’re doing from day to day, know who their friends are, and what they're up to and listen to them and respect their opinions. Good communication plays a big part. It involves talking and listening. Talk openly about smoking Keep connected with your kids about smoking. Create openings to talk about it seriously. Avoid lectures, but make your concerns clear. If you smoke yourself, be open and honest about why you started, and why it’s so hard to stop. If your kids are not smoking yet Encourage them to think ahead and plan how to say no to cigarettes. Talk about why it's better to not smoke. For example, you could say, "Most kids don't smoke." or "Smoking smells bad and costs a lot." If your kids are already smoking Ask them how long they've been smoking and why they started. Get them talking about their thoughts and feelings about smoking. Have their feelings changed, and if so, why? Share your feelings about smoking and be clear about why you feel the way you do. Encourage Schools to Address Smoking and Tobacco UseParents can encourage their school to prevent and reduce tobacco use. And, research shows that this can work. Health Canada funded a research project that shows this Investigating a School-Based Approach to Tobacco Control: The Hampton High School Initiative. The World Health Organization has published an excellent overview on how schools can respond to tobacco use
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Health Canada
Can second-hand smoke harm my family? (Canadian Health Network)
How can I talk with my kids about smoking? (Canadian Health Network)
School-based smoking prevention: economic costs versus benefits (Health Canada)
Improving the odds: educator's resource (Health Canada)
Smoking and teens: what you should know (Canadian Paediatric Society)
(Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse)
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