You can't make your children stop smoking. But you can explain your concern and show you care.

Offer to help them if they want to try to quit. One of the best approaches is to ask your children how they feel about their smoking and how you could help. Listen to what they say.

Let your children know you respect them and love them for who they are and that you’ll support them when they try to quit.  This doesn’t mean you have to make smoking easier for your children. Keep your house smoke-free. Don't buy tobacco for your children and don't give them money to buy cigarettes.

Support children who want to quit smoking

Things to know about quitting

• Half of the people who were smokers have quit.
• Most people don't quit overnight. They have to think about it for a while first.
• Most people try to quit on their own without help or medication, even though help and medication are very effective. Your doctor can help.
• Most people have to quit four or five times before they learn how to succeed.
• Some smokers experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, sleeping difficulties, tiredness, grouchiness and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms won't last more than a week or two.

Support is helpful

• Listen.
• Appreciate that giving up cigarettes is difficult.
• Say how glad you are they are trying to stop.
• Praise and reward efforts.
• Show confidence that the smoker will be able to cope effectively.
• Don’t give up on them.

Make your home smoke-free

• Limit smoking to outside the house (on the deck or balcony, in the garage, or in the yard).
• Ask other smokers in your home to help protect your family and smoke outside.

Take a stand in your community

• If you see it happening, remind local businesses it's illegal to sell tobacco to children. Report businesses selling tobacco to minors to the provincial Tobacco Control Unit. Telephone (902) 424-5187.
• Support smoking prevention programs and policies at your children's school.