THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 5, 1995 TAG: 9509020035
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
BILL JOYNER WAS 12 when he was caught with his first cigarette.
His dad locked him in a closet and made him smoke a pack of 20.
``I guess he thought it would turn me away from smoking. It did make me turn green and get sick,'' says Joyner, who's now 24 and living in Virginia Beach. ``But it just made me want to smoke more.''
More than 3,000 U.S. minors start smoking each day, the federal government estimates. The average age at which they take their first puff is 13.
President Clinton has called for a ``tough and mandatory-type program'' to curb smoking by young people, banning cigarette vending machines in areas frequented by kids, limiting the types of advertising that tobacco companies can use and requiring proof of age to purchase cigarettes.
But that program is being challenged by tobacco companies. For now, as public policy sorts itself out, experts say anti-smoking help can and should begin at home. Teen smokers can be weaned - and non-ers discouraged from starting - with the support of family and friends.
``The parents' attitudes about tobacco use heavily influences the child. If you set rules, `Drinking isn't allowed; smoking isn't allowed,' teenagers are less likely to smoke outside the home,'' says Laura Mullen, program associate with the Stop Teenage Addiction to Tobacco organization based in Springfield, Mass.
``But many parents treat it like drinking: `I'd rather them drink in the house than outside the home.' They are well-meaning, but it's called enabling. It's making it easier to do those behaviors.
``Teens look to parents to set those boundaries, and when they don't, they take their parents' OK.''
Many teens agree.
One 15-year-old Virginia Beach teenager says he was only experimenting with cigarettes when his mom told him, ``I don't like it, but I'd rather you smoke here in the house.''
``I was addicted within a month,'' says the Marlboro smoker, who asked that his name not be used here. ``I'd like to stop. I don't like being addicted. But it's hard, man.''
The National Institute of Health and the American Lung Association have resources for those who want to quit and parents and friends who want to help. Here are some tips: Help the teen plan to quit
Help set a date for quitting and help the smoker work toward that goal. Help the teen think of his reasons for wanting to quit, not yours.
Help the smoker recognize the periods in the day when he or she is more likely to smoke. Is it on the way to school? Hanging out at the park?
Help the teen change his smoking routine - keep cigarettes in a different place; get the teen to smoke with the other hand.
When the smoker feels the urge to smoke, remind him to wait a few minutes. Encourage the smoker to chew gum or drink a glass of water. Or get him involved in an activity.
Encourage the smoker to buy only one pack of cigarettes at a time and switch to a brand with less nicotine or a brand the smoker doesn't like. Be helpful when Quit Day comes
Get rid of cigarettes and ashtrays.
Help the smoker change his daily routine. Switch routes to school. Don't hang out at the park; go to the library instead. Stay busy.
Keep the smoker away from other smokers and areas that remind him or her of smoking: parties, the park, etc.
Be helpful when the smoker indicates he or she wants to smoke. Remind the smoker the urge will pass in a few minutes. Keep candy, gum or toothpicks in a locker or purse if the smoker needs something to chew on.
If the smoker is feeling tense, suggest a walk or deep breathing to help him relax. Be supportive in the weeks to follow
The first seven to 10 days are usually the toughest for the smoker trying to quit. Many will experience withdrawal symptoms - trouble sleeping; lack of concentration; or feelings of anxiety, restlessness or irritability. Be patient and realize these symptoms will go away as the body rids itself of nicotine.
Give rewards and encouragement for not smoking. Treat the ex-smoker to ice cream. Remind him of short-term accomplishments such as fresher breath, no more smelly clothes or stained teeth.
It's common for ex-smokers to slip - to take a puff or smoke one or two cigarettes - so remind your ex-smoker of all the reasons he or she chose to quit in the first place. It might take several attempts before a smoker kicks the habit.
If the ex-smoker needs additional help, contact local smoke-cessation groups or talk to a doctor about nicotine gum or nicotine patches.
MEMO: For more information on quitting smoking, call the American Cancer
Society, Hampton Roads office, 853-6638 and STAT (Stop Teenage Addiction
to Tobacco) (413) 732-7828.
ILLUSTRATION: Personality traits that are most predictive of tobacco and other
drug use:
Rebelliousness
High levels of sensation-seeking
High tolerance of deviance
Resistance to traditional authority
Strong need for independence
Low self-esteem
A feeling of lack of control over one's life
Predictors of tobacco and other drug use occurring prior to
adolescence:
Antisocial activity (aggression, aversion to discipline,
isolation)
Psychological distress or maladjustment (depression,
short-attention span, severe aggressiveness or shyness,
hyperactivity)
SOURCE: Stop Teenage Addiction to Tobacco
JOHN EARLE/Staff
[Color Illustration]
by CNB