By: Carol Duh-Leong, MD, MPP, FAAP
Each year, tobacco companies spend billions of dollars to promote their products, including
electronic cigarettes that are especially popular with young people. Research shows these advertisements reach, and strongly influence, children and teens.
Smoke Signals
Nearly 7 out of 10 middle and high school students say they've seen e-cigarette ads, for example, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics like these worry public health experts, since studies show the more cigarette ads teens see, the more likely they are to try smoking. Research also suggests that seeing characters who smoke in movies makes them more likely to try cigarettes.
Many teens who try smoking don't stop. In fact, about 9 out of 10 smokers began the habit by age 18, according to a U.S. Surgeon General
report.
Teens go through big developmental changes, forming their own identities and taking more risks. They also begin to pay more attention to being accepted by friends. One
study found that cigarette ads may make teens feel like smoking would make them popular, sophisticated, attractive or tough.
What Parents Can Do
Be aware of and discuss how seemingly subtle points in cigarette ads can send a powerful, and potentially harmful, message to teens.
Talk with your teen. Teens really do value the opinions of their parents. If you are with your teen and you see a cigarette ad, talk about it. Tell your teen that his or her feelings are important, and start a constructive and respectful discussion where both of you can express your feelings and opinions about smoking.
Think beyond tobacco. E-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices, such as
hookah, might be advertised as less harmful to health than regular cigarettes. Ads may make a point of saying that e-cigarettes vaporize flavored “vape juice" rather than burning tobacco. Make sure your teen knows the nicotine from vaping is still highly addictive. In addition,
research shows teens who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke regular tobacco. This research supports the concept that e-cigs serve as a “gateway" to traditional cigarettes.
Monitor screen time. Many teens exposed to cigarette ads, especially those for e-cigarettes, report seeing them on the internet and TV (unlike ads for regular cigarettes, e-cigarette ads are legally allowed to air on TV). A 2018
study in Pediatrics found that teenagers who watched videos about tobacco products online, for example, were more likely to try and use tobacco products more frequently. They were also less likely to stop using the products. Make a family
media use plan to help limit the influence of these ads on your children.
Identify your teen's talents. Adolescence is a time when teens are trying to find their identity. It is important for parents to be positive about their teen's talents and goals—whether it be basketball or social studies. This will help them develop a strong sense of identity outside of potentially unhealthy habits.
Get involved in the community. Whether it be with the school's parent-teacher association or local health programs in your city, parents have a strong voice in the
community. You can say no to cigarette ads in places where your child lives and plays.
Shop Around. If your local pharmacy or mini-mart displays cigarette ads, consider shopping at stores that do not sell traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
Remember
Cigarette ads can have a strong influence on children and teens. But there are steps you can take to protect against their powerful pull, helping kids avoid a future clouded by tobacco and nicotine.
More information:
About Dr. Duh-Leong:
 Carol Duh-Leong, MD, MPP, FAAP, is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. You can follow her on Twitter
@leongisland. |