Talk to kids about smoking

About 80 percent of current adult smokers started smoking when they were children.

Educating your child about the dangers of smoking is the most effective way to prevent your child from becoming part of the next generation of adults who will suffer from tobacco-related diseases, such as lung cancer.

Here are five simple steps to take to help you open the lines of communication:

•Start early. Research has shown that education about smoking is most effective when started at the age of 5 or 6.

•Talk straight. Learn all you can about tobacco and cancer. Know the facts and be able to communicate them to your children and be able to answer questions.

•Discuss advertisements. When you see advertisements that glorify smoking ask your children to explain what they understand, like or dislike about the ads to initiate a dialogue.

•Forge partnerships. Become involved with local schools, organizations or health departments that have tobacco prevention programs. Bring your child to volunteer opportunities available at these programs.

•Quit smoking. If you smoke, quit. Children learn through example.

For more information on how you can help reduce your children’s risk of developing cancer, visit www.preventcancer.org.