| Fathers now have one more reason to watch their | | | | the time they were in the 12th grade, 156 of them had |
| behavior around their kids, in what may be some of | | | | become daily smokers. According to Kim, one of the |
| the hardest parenting advice to take to heart. | | | | major factors that predicted teen's smoking habit was |
| This new study focused on smoking and the effect it | | | | having a parental figure who used tobacco regularly. |
| can have on a child when they witness a parent | | | | "If parents really don't want their children to smoke |
| engaging in the habit. | | | | they need to communicate that by establishing clear |
| Min Jung Kim, a research scientist at the University of | | | | guidelines in their families about not smoking and |
| Washington's Social Development Research Group, | | | | discuss them with their school-age children," Kim said. |
| led the study and said that smoking parents are more | | | | It may also be wise for fathers who smoke to heed |
| likely to have teenagers who follow in their footsteps. | | | | past parenting advice from some health officials and |
| "Many parents think adolescence is the time for | | | | quit smoking. This will be good for the overall health of |
| children to have their independence," Kim said. "But it is | | | | the father and send a message to the child that the |
| important to maintain good supervision of your teen. | | | | habit isn't something that's ideal. |
| Parents who smoke also need to understand that they | | | | For older children, it may be worthwhile for a father to |
| are modeling behavior and if they quit smoking they | | | | sit them down and explain to them the benefits of |
| send a strong message to their teenager." | | | | quitting smoking, and how it will decrease their chances |
| Researchers examined a total of 270 adolescents | | | | of developing a serious health condition. |
| who said they began smoking in the eighth grade. By | | | | |