Encourage your teen to share his or her concerns

Rather than lecturing your teen on the dangers of smoking, ask what your teen considers the negative aspects of smoking. Offer your own list and appeal to your teen's vanity. Explain that smoking:

• Gives you bad breath.
• Makes your clothes and hair smell.
• Turns your teeth and fingers yellow.
• Harms lung function and athletic performance.

Smoking is also expensive. Ask your teen to calculate the weekly, monthly or yearly cost of smoking or vaping every day. Compare the cost of smoking with that of smartphones, clothes or other items your teen considers important.