WINGERT: One of the surprises in the book is that you recommend discussing the benefits of tobacco with kids.
SCHWEBEL: We need to stop pretending that tobacco and other drugs don’t feel good. People use tobacco and other drugs to meet their needs. We have to show that we get it, that we understand it’s tempting, and then help them think more clearly about it. Tell them about the health risks, but also stress the more immediate negatives, that their clothing will smell, their teeth will get yellow, their breath will be terrible, that most teens prefer to date nonsmokers.
Are children starting younger?
Yes. Kids today have more unsupervised time. A lot of smoking has to do with boredom. Kids crave novelty.
What’s their biggest misconception?
They don’t understand addiction. They all say they’ll stop in five years, that “it’s just a kid thing.” No kid expects to become addicted. They’re all surprised when it happens to them.
