Smoking - information for parents
Tobacco is one of the largest causes of preventable death and disease in Australia. Every year more than 15,000 regular smokers in Australia die from a smoking-related illness and most of those people started smoking before they turned 18. However, the majority of teenagers don’t smoke.
Children often model their behaviour on what they experience at home. You can be a positive influence on your child. Not smoking and having a smoke-free home is the best way to provide this influence and also protect your children from the danger of passive smoking.
Smoking is banned in cars when children are present.
Encourage children to talk about the dangers of smoking and actively support healthy lifestyle choices. The risks of smoking section is a good starting point. Visit this section with your child to start a conversation about smoking.
For information and support to quit smoking
- Visit Be Smoke Free website
- For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - Give up smokes
- Phone the Quitline on 13 78 48 or visit the Quitline website.
- Download the My QuitBuddy app on:
- Quit Now
- Talk to your GP or health professional.