Signs Your Teenager Smokes Tobacco – Parenthood

If you are worried about whether your teenager has started smoking, know that your concerns are justified because the teenage years are the time when young people have their first experiences with tobacco, alcohol or drugs. In this article, we are going to find out what are the signs that indicate that your teenager is smoking tobacco.

Unlike many substances, tobacco can be more difficult to detect in adolescents. In fact, the physical signs are much less noticeable than with alcohol or drugs, making it more difficult for parents to detect certain signs of addiction in their children.

How can you tell if your teenager smokes tobacco?

Here are the signs your teenager is smoking tobacco:

1. Possession of tobacco-related products

The most obvious sign that your child is smoking tobacco is the sudden presence of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, lighters, roll-your-own tobacco, cigarette paper, etc. Usually, this type of item is hidden in backpacks, pockets, drawers or in teenagers’ cars.

Warning: it is advisable not to invade your child’s privacy ; however, it is a good idea to keep more control if you suspect your teen is smoking tobacco. In these cases, any object that you find in their room can provide an answer to all your questions.

2. Mood swings

Mood swings are one of the clearest indications that your teenager is smoking tobacco. They can be seen when the youngster has not smoked for a long time, due to nicotine addiction.

In these situations, he or she may show aggressive behavior, bad attitude or irritability. In fact, some studies confirm that tobacco, the second most consumed drug in Spain, interferes with the mood of adolescents.

3. Bad smell

On the other hand, you should know that teenagers who smoke usually have a strong smell of smoke too. In fact, many of them are unaware of the extreme nature of the smell caused by tobacco smoke and – mistakenly – believe that showering or oral hygiene is enough to prevent it.

This is certainly the most obvious sign of teenage smoking. If you notice that your teenager smells of smoke, it is probably because he has acquired the habit of smoking.

4. Open bedroom windows

If you notice that he leaves his bedroom windows open for a long time, this may be one of the most obvious signs that your teenager is smoking tobacco.

The desire to open the window often, even if it is cold, responds to an attempt by teenage smokers to ventilate the room to keep it from smelling smoke. Even if they do not smoke inside the room, the smell of their clothes will automatically pass into the room; they know it, of course.

5. Excuses to go out

Fifth and finally, you should know that it’s perfectly natural for your teenager to want to get out of the house every now and then and have their own space. However, if you notice that he apologizes for going out often, this may be another of the more obvious signs that your child is smoking.

Therefore, you should try to be alert to any behavior that indicates that your child is spending more time outdoors than necessary. This can be especially true if the youngster is looking for reasons to go out all the time, even when the weather is not favorable.

In summary, if you want to make sure your teenager smokes tobacco, the tips above will give you the tools you need to assess your teenager. As a parent, you don’t have to worry too much because adolescence is a time when teens want to experience the world around them.

It is therefore a moment of total discovery, even if it means taking actions that are harmful to your health. We are convinced that a good mother-to-child conversation will put things back in order!