Reaching Out To Youth Smokers
Yesterday, I was privileged to speak at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo. The county health department asked me to give my perspective on smoking because I am a former smoker, a veteran and a respiratory therapist.
The kids were attentive, despite a small class size and several boxes of pizza that were waiting for them once I left. While they were licking their chops, I explained to them the types of patients we see on a daily basis. We all see the same COPDers over and over. Asthmatics. People with bronchitis and cancer.
The sad fact is that approximately 3,000 kids between the ages of 4 and 18 smoked their first cigarette yesterday. Half of them will still be smoking 10 years from now. Whatever the reason they decided to take that first deadly puff, the fact is that at least one of the kids I spoke to has no intention of quitting.
I know who she is. I could see it in her eyes, just like you see it when you remind your patients how bad smoking is for you. One of the others will try to quit but will fail. With any luck, eight out of the 10 in attendance will be able to give it up for good.
We need to reach out to these kids. Don't blame them, harass them or ridicule them because they smoke. Offer to help them. If you're a current or former smoker like me, relay your experiences with them. Let them know it's OK to still have cravings. Let them know what to expect. Use yourself as a model of what smoking will do to them, how it will affect their lives, and the risks involved.
The government is not going to outlaw cigarettes. Despite being the only thing in the world that kills you when used exactly as directed, the government doesn't care. The only way cigarettes will get off the market is for people to stop using them. Honestly, I don't see that happening soon.
I don't lecture youngsters about smoking. They are smarter than I am. They either already know the facts or think they do. Instead, offer alternatives to them. Get them to focus on something other than the cigarette. Sure, tell them about the bad breath, the yellow teeth, the wrinkles and the risks of lung disease.
But realize that you are talking to people, albeit young ones, and treat them as such. Captivate them with not only your knowledge, but also your care too. Make sure you make yourself available to them if they want to quit. Don't fail them when they need you. The future generation is depending on us to help them. This is just one of our many chances to do that.
That's just my opinion.