289 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 9 Tobacco and Vaping Family Family members’ attitudes and behaviors about tobacco use influence whether young people smoke, vape, or chew tobacco. Young people are much less likely to start using tobacco products if their families set clear expectations, discuss their views on tobacco products, and follow through on consequences for using tobacco (Figure 9.13). Families' attitudes toward tobacco use create an environment that influences young people’s behavior. Some families are strongly against the use of tobacco products. These family members do not use tobacco products and may tell guests not to use cigarettes, vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco in the house. In this environment, young people are less likely to use tobacco. Other families are more accepting of tobacco use and may even use tobacco products in the home environment. Young people in this environment are more likely to try using cigarettes, vaping devices, or smokeless tobacco. Peer Pressure During the school-age years, the influence of friends can be strong. Most young people want their friends to accept them. This may lead them to engage in unhealthy behaviors. The people you spend your time with have a big influence on whether you try tobacco products. Many young people use their first tobacco product with a friend. Young people with friends who smoke, vape, or chew tobacco are also much more likely to use tobacco products themselves. Young people whose friends smoke or vape are offered a tobacco product much more often than those whose friends do not smoke or vape. It is important to learn how to say “no” when someone offers you a cigarette, a vaping device, or smokeless tobacco. (You will learn more about this in the next lesson.) Young people may experience peer pressure to use a tobacco product. Peer pressure is the influence that people your age or status have on your actions. Peer pressure is negative if used to encourage an individual to do something unsafe, unhealthy, or uncomfortable. Peer pressure is positive if it is respectful and encourages healthy behaviors (Figure 9.14). iStock.com/MachineHeadz Figure 9.13 Parents who set clear rules and consequences to smoking are less likely to have children experiment with smoking. Positive Characteristics to Encourage in Friends Be Honest Work Hard Be Physically Active (Together!) Avoid Alcohol Avoid Doing Drugs Be Kind to Others Using Peer Pressure to Promote Healthy Behaviors Figure 9.14 There are many ways peer pressure can be used to inspire healthy behaviors. Encouraging your friends not to vape is one example. Give an example of a time when you influenced someone, or were influenced by someone else, with positive peer pressure.