Ideas for Punishment for Teenagers Who Admit to Smoking

Teens are notorious for taking risks, and many of them will try smoking before adulthood. Although your teen's admission that she's smoked once or twice may seem consistent with typical adolescent behavior, it's important not to brush it off. Even occasional smoking will put your child at greater risk of physical consequences, and if smoking becomes a habit, it could cut her life short.

  1. Put it in Writing

    • A combination of education and counseling is the most effective discipline type when the goal is to reduce or eliminate repeat incidents of teen smoking, according to a 2003 study conducted by the Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research. Make sure your teen understands why you're taking a hard stance against smoking by having her research the impact a tobacco habit has on physical and financial health. Child psychologist Kevin Leman suggests requiring your child to compose her findings into a typed report before restoring privileges such as allowance or car access.

    Talk it Out

    • Your teen might grumble about having to cut short phone and computer time to have an extended sit-down with Mom and Dad, but a conversation is essential to helping her understand your disappointment and to set expectations for her behavior going forward. Remember that it can be hard for adolescents to fully understand consequences such as lung cancer and premature aging, since the typical onset of these problems seems light-years away for teens who tend to live for the moment. Make sure to also counsel your teen about the immediate drawbacks of smoking, such as yellow teeth, bad breath, poor athletic performance, less spending money and smelly clothes.

    Volunteer Work

    • If your teen purchased tobacco with money you gave her, you may require that she "earn" your reimbursement by committing some of her free time to help others. Call local hospitals and nursing homes to see if you can set her up with a weekend shift. She is likely to come across patients or residents suffering from the effects of smoking, and this will make the consequences seem more realistic and frightening.

    Drug Use

    • If your teen is smoking controlled substances instead of, or in addition to, tobacco, it is important to take a hard stance against it for her health, as well as to prevent criminal action that may haunt her well into adulthood. Monitor your child closely, even if it means cutting out privileges she once enjoyed. You may consider a rehabilitation program that can provide professional counseling and regular drug testing.

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