For example, say: "Remember Great Aunt Martha? Today was her birthday. I can't help thinking that she would still be with us if it wasn't for the lung cancer. But back then, people didn't know that smoking was bad for you. Fortunately, we do now." Seeing someone smoking is another conversation opener: "I always feel so bad every time I see someone smoking. I know that they are shortening their life, and that attractive young girl will have yellow teeth, wrinkled skin, and bad breath, soon, all because of smoking." Smoking rates amongst teenage girls have increased, partially because of weight-related concerns, so it is not shallow to note the negative appearance-related aspects of smoking.

Translating the health risks of smoking into terms your teen can understand is important. For a teen, a statistically increased risk of death from lung cancer and heart disease may be abstract, but pointing out...
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