Chats with fathers have impact on teen smoking

A new research has discovered that for teenager boys and girls who discus important subjects about life with their fathers are less likely to start smoking when they are really young. The same study also says that this was a very important factor which prevents teenage smoking.

The research has studied 3500 teens. They were between 11 and 15 years old. They all were participants of a self reporting survey that was called the British Youth Panel Survey. In the study took part only teenagers who didn’t smoke. To obtain better results they were asked about family members, parental communication or how often did they have meals all together during three years.

There were given questions like how often they spoke to their fathers about very important matters. The teens had to answer on a scale from ‘hardly ever’ to ‘most days’. After three years there were compared the answers from teenagers from general population, who have tried to smoke at some point and those who remained non smokers.

Teens who have discussed their problems with fathers could make better decisions about smoking cigarettes. They were less likely to start smoking in their adolescence. So teens have to share their thoughts with fathers because this might help them take the right decision.

The frequencies of chats with fathers matters too, they have a big influence on stopping children use cigarettes. This represents a very important factor. Other factors like frequency of family meals or arguments with family members didn’t show a significant importance and impact. The same research has studied mother’s influence but didn’t find it very important regarding starting smoking at teens. No significant impact was discovered. But other aspects like overall well being of the child are influenced by mothers. Fathers have to talk to their kids more often.

It is very important that kids talk more often to their fathers about their problems and those fathers should be encouraged to talk to their children. This will help raise a healthy child physically and emotionally. And it will prevent starting bad habits. Dr White said that it is needed more attention from fathers toward their kids, because they have a big positive impact on them.

Fathers need encouragement and support too, by this way they will improve the frequency and quality of communication with their children when they go through adolescence.