How does your teen feel about smoking?

[FurrySlipperBoots]

Do they smoke? If so, how did they get started? From what you can gather do the 'cool' kids at their schools smoke, or is it 'lame/sad/whatever-the-current-phrase is' these days?

Mine is 20, he vapes - started smoking when he got his first job and lost his dad at the same time, but quit after about 6 months because his asthma was getting really bad. His friends smoke dope but he hates the smell so I don't think he partakes. Why do you ask?

Every teenager I know smokes. Or vapes. But mostly smokes. Some of them just ‘socially’ but many more smoke all the time. ‘Nice middle class area’

Both of mine are horrified at all forms of smoking. Phew.

Mine hates it, and it's not common in her friendship circle either. My nephew is the same age (17) smokes and has caped, and it's common among his friends.

DS 16 hates it and can’t understand why anyone would want to smoke. He laughs at the kids smoking/vaping to be “cool”

Mine detest it. Smoking caused grandparents to die so they've seen the devastation it causes.

DS20 & DD17 both think it's disgusting and very common.

DS(17) says he hates it but seems to have developed a new found enjoyment of walking the dog so I suspect he's vaping on these walks.

2 are no longer teens but all 3 think it's disgusting and stupid.

Why do you ask op?

15 & 18 yo boys.
Say they don't understand why anyone would do it (and I've never smelt smoke on them / clothes).
Neither of them drink alcohol either.

Mine (15) thinks it is disgusting, especially the smell. She doesn't really get why people start.

I think only one of her close friends smokes, and she is trying to give up. The kid in question is quite troubled and dd sees the smoking as symptomatic of that.

There are other kids in dd's year group who smoke. DD doesn't regard it as cool, but says that these are typically the kind of kids who try very hard to be cool.

My brother in law died from throat cancer a few years ago. He was in his late 40s. He had been a smoker from late teens to late 30s. None of his nieces and nephews smoke or vape. Nor do any of his children. They realise that smoking was a major factor in his illness.

DS and DD never tried cigarettes or drugs. DD likes a drink. DS was into sport and had a kidney problem. They were very tame as teenagers and consider me to have been wild! I had a lot of fun!

@customwatkins

DS20 & DD17 both think it's disgusting and very common.

'Common' they sound nice and judgmental.

@Kenworthington urgh hope they enjoy lung disease

I'm shocked that so many teens still smoke. We have lost close family
Members to cancer caused by smoking so have been open with the kids and pray that they don't start. It's so grim. And death to lung cancer is truly evil.

At my dds school hardly anyone seems to smoke. Only those who are thought to be the “chavs” so not seen as cool at all. Unlike when I was at school and everyone smoked

I teach teenagers, state school in a deprived area. A few vape, but they tend to be those who would also smoke weed. Most really look down on cigarette smokers and think smoking is “chavvy”.

@StellaKowalski teenagers are judgemental- it’s their job. 😂 They know best about EVERYTHING, didn’t you know? 😉

My dc both agree that only the chavs smoke. They both hate the smell and can’t believe anyone would choose to risk their health by doing it. One of the few things they agree on tbh!

my teens also think it's a disgusting habit....very 'chav'

DSs are 18 and 21 and they think it's horrible. But it's the reason that a set of grandparents died way before their time.
None of their close friends smoke but some in their wider circles do.

How do your teens feel about it @FurrySlipperBoots?

DC (15.5) thinks it smells revolting & looks stupid.

None of her friends/tutor group smoke. She doesn't know anyone in her year group that does (which doesn't mean they don't, just that she's never seen them or when discussing 'stuff' no one has said they do).

She still thinks drugs (incl marijuana), is pointless & stupid and there are other things that are better at making you feel happy, & 'alive' (thrill/fun). Such as horse riding.

Long may that thinking live! 🤞🏼

Neither of mine would contemplate it. I held my Mum's hand as she died from lung cancer caused by smoking. That was after she lost all her hair and dignity from chemotherapy. It was an absolutely harrowing experience and they know how distressing it was for me and my siblings who were all there.

Both sons think it smells revolting and neither of them is interested in vaping or "looking cool" because they don't think smoking is cool. My SIL smokes casually (because her boyfriend smokes) and when she comes here I cannot put her coat in my coat cupboard as it stinks of smoke.