a mother discovered that her son is smoking

@nita04 (268)
Philippines
July 25, 2012 11:34pm CST
A friend of mine just discovered that her son have been smoking in secret. She was so upset because she doesn't want that any member of her family will smoke. She had done everything that she could for him to quit smoking and she thought that he already quit because she never saw him smoke. But one night, after her son used the comfort room, she followed in and she noticed a foul smell of cigarette inside. So he confronted him again and ask if he still smoking. Her son confessed that he is still smoking but not in public. She felt that there might be something in him that would trigger his smoking, may be if he is stressed. She is thinking how to help her son quit smoking. What do you think. Any suggestions? Please help.
1 response
• Philippines
26 Jul 12
Well, if her son is a teenager I don't believe stress is the issue. I think it is more of a peer issue. "Bad company corrupts good habits." And this is quite true, if his group of friends don't believe that smoking isn't good there is a huge chance that he will be persuaded to accept this point of view. I don't recommend her nagging him to stop smoking or to take him away from his friends. People of this age usually tend to rebel all the more when corrected in an authoritative manner. I suggest, she talk to him in a way that she'd talk to a friend or as a concerned mother. Just lay out why she's worried and maybe it would help if his father would be there to support this intervention. I hope he stops smoking soon :)