https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 10:35:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2362277 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 22:12:55 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2362277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oxana: typically though, those people who are older and have smoked a long time, even if they're alive, they're quality of life is severely diminished. Even as just a nursing student, a large majority of patients I've cared for in rehab centers and the hospitals have long term effects from smoking, even if they quit 20+ years ago. Once you have COPD, it doesn't go away. Once you have heart disease, it doesn't go away. And smokers do get sick more often from lung damage that impairs their immune system. My only argument is that not everyone sees the effects smoking has unless it's specifically lung cancer. But there are so many "smaller" conditions it causes that, even if the individual lives a long life, it severely impairs quality of life.<br /> Just my two cents!<br /> I'm pretty sensitive to it too though, as my dearly beloved grandmother passed away at a young age due to conditions from smoking. I fully intend to teach my child exactly why it's unhealthy and how it personally left our family broken-hearted. I don't judge my grandmother at all for her choice, I understand how addictive it is. but I still want me son to know that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2362264 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:56:26 +0000 Oxana 2362264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: See, I'm not sure this is the best approach because at some point, the kid is going to realize that not <i>everyone</i> gets sick from smoking. It isn't a death sentence. There are plenty of people in their 90's who have smoked all their lives. I worry that the kid/teen will come to the conclusion that you're exaggerating and it's not such a big deal after all. I know statistically smoking is a terrible choice, but that's a much more nuanced position than "I hope you won't smoke, because if you do, you will get sick." Maybe I'm just splitting hairs. I don't know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2362255 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:50:08 +0000 Eko 2362255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also used to pretend to smoke with lollipop sticks. I even ate those candy cigarettes. I never smoked ever though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2362250 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:47:41 +0000 Keybee 2362250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember playing "bar" with my cousins in my grandparents basement around that age, complete with rolled up paper cigarettes. I have 15 cousins and none of us smoke now, it was just a game. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2362232 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:39:39 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2362232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pretended to smoke all the time growing up! FWIW, I've never smoked, not even once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2362226 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:38:14 +0000 MrsSRS 2362226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: Yep. This is a great approach. FWIW I grew up firmly toeing the party line that smoking was gross. I actually pestered my smoking relatives about it when I was little. BUT I also played pretend with winter air breathing and with candy cigarettes. I never smoked as a teen or adult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2362000 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:58:41 +0000 Truth Bombs 2362000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably say something like "I hope you never smoke for real because I love you and I don't want you to get sick and unhealthy" and let that be my only reaction each time. I really stress about how to approach smoking. My mother was pretty aggressive about it telling us how terrible smoking is. But my in laws both smoke, which I hate, but I don't want to be a bitch and be really harsh with my daughter about how dumb it is to smoke and then have her say "well then why to Grammy and Grandpa smoke". But I also feel like I HAVE to be really aggressive about how bad it is for you because she'll see them doing it and I do not want her thinking that makes it ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2361993 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:54:30 +0000 Oxana 2361993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tend to think that it comes from children's strong desire to seem more grown-up, since smoking is a thing that only (some) grown-ups do. I used to smoke those candy cigarettes as a kid, the kind that puff powder up when you blow on them. It didn't make me more prone to real smoking later on. I never experimented with smoking as a teenager or an adult. Of course, the idea of giving a kid candy cigarettes seems outrageous to me now--but that's probably just because the culture has changed so much on this issue.</p> <p>Maybe I'm too laissez faire, but I think you're doing the right thing by continuing to ignore it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-starts-pretending-to-smoke#post-2361986 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:40:52 +0000 mrbee 2361986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved recently, and there are a lot of smokers where we live now! I didn't think too much of it, until my (almost) 6-year-old son started pretending to "smoke" with a lollipop stick. Later he did the same thing with a white straw.</p> <p>"Look dad, I'm smoking!!"</p> <p>We've talked in the past about how smoking isn't healthy, so I figure that part is taken care of. I'm just ignoring it for now, as I figure maybe he's just joking or looking for a reaction. But even though I keep ignoring it, he keeps doing it.</p> <p>Have your kids pretended to smoke? Wondering if this is just harmless pretend play, or if I should be doing or saying something! </p>