Your Questions for the White House!
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Your Questions for the White House!
| Tue, 11-15-2011 - 11:01am |
Hi Everyone,
We're looking for your questions to pose to the Health & Human Services Secretary live on iVillage.com in connection with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.
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- Reduce number of smokers by treating mental illness? 1
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- I have made it a week! 2
- I lit up 1
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Effective September 2012
My teenage daughter and her friends are smoking! They aren't even old enough to buy cigarettes (16-17)
Some people just can't quit without some extra help. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, has one of the only residential treatment programs for smoking in the world. Is Ms. Sibelius aware of some of the intensive treatment programs available? Thanks!
Hi Tami. I apologize for the late reply but I hope you're still lurking somewhere out there. First, that's bull. Not all teenage girls smoke. Yes, I started smoking when I was 17 so using me would be a bad example. But I had quite a few friends that didn't smoke. Telling a parent to "calm down" when they know their child is doing something that jeopardizing their health is probably the silliest thing I've ever heard. No offense meant to your friends but you absolutely have EVERY reason and right to worry.
Have you talked to her yet? My suggestion is don't tell her she has to quit. She's less likely to hear anything you have to say if you immediately put her on the defensive. Ask her questions and try to find out why she started smoking. Peer pressure? Something new that makes her look cool (so she thinks)? Finding out the reasons for the habit make an effective tool when you decide to give her the reasons she shouldn't smoke.
In my opinion, the key thing is DON'T attack. Try to get her to open up about it. I'm not telling you to let her do it. By all means, try to get her off the habit as quickly as possible. But take your time talking about it. I remember vividly when my dad found out I was smoking. It wasn't a conversation, it was a lecture. I heard a few words, tuned out and couldn't wait until I could get to my next cigarette... out of sheer defiance. Try to be a friend first, but still a mom if that makes any sense.
Please keep us updated Tami. You're always welcome here.
Misty