Parents Prevent Teenagers from Smoking

Adolescents who perceive that both parents would be very upset if they smoked are less likely to light up, according to a new study.

The rate of teenagers smoking climbed steadily in the 1990s. This fact begs the question of whether prevention programs need to be changed. Programs have generally focused on peer pressure to smoke. Researchers from Dartmouth Medical School wondered if parental disapproval of smoking could be the key to preventing adolescents from starting this habit.

Three groups of students were part of the study. The students were asked about their parents' reaction if they found out they smoked. Researchers felt those who selected the answer, "S/he would tell me to stop and be very upset," showed an indication of strong parental disapproval.

Students who perceived strong disapproval in both parents were half as likely to become smokers. Also, those parents who seemed to become more lenient over time with their attitude to smoking had kids who were more likely to start smoking.

Interestingly, researchers say that the effect of parental disapproval was as strong for preventing teenagers from smoking from parents who smoked as it was from parents who did not smoke.

Researchers conclude that intervention programs that include parental disapproval as a component of the program could be effective in reducing the number of adolescents who smoke.