Greetings!
As we all know, change is one thing that is constant; it happens anyhow, even in instances when we are not expecting it. When these changes occur, it's not all of them that we should battle to conquer; some we should let be, while others require a significant effort to overcome, especially considering the manner in which they occur.
In my extended family, which consists of hundreds of people, there are one or two individuals who smoke cigarettes. It always baffles me when I see them smoking because the transition to such a lifestyle must have been a strong one.... it's something they didn't pick from home.
Once I marry and have children, I intend to raise them with the values of a non-smoking lifestyle from the very beginning. If one day any of them, in their teenage or young adult years, adopts the habit of smoking, I will make sure to help them quit.
I understand that some may argue that smoking is an addiction and that addicts are hard to help quit. However, if my child develops a smoking habit at a young age, I wouldn't tolerate it.
Here's what I would do to address the situation:
I would start with a heart-to-heart conversation to understand why my child was drawn to smoking. Most times, this smoking habit often come out from peer pressure; a situation where pulling out is likely inevitable.
While some may view smoking as acceptable or normal, I firmly believe it is harmful, particularly for young individuals. I would explain the risks associated with smoking, such as lung damage and premature death... it's stated in cigarette packs that smokers are liable to die young
If the heart-to-heart conversation doesn't yield results, I would resort to more traditional disciplinary measures, which may include physical punishment. While many people nowadays frown upon physical discipline, it was effective in my upbringing and it's one thing I'm going to use.
To be truthful, it's going to be hard to beat a little adult into correction, but that's what our parents used on us and it worked very well. I'm not among those who have completely bought into the idea of a civilization with no beating; no, I would incorporate beating into my home as one of the training measures.
If despite these efforts, my child continues to smoke, I would feel like I've failed as a parent in instilling the values I believe are important.
However, there comes a point in everyone's life, including children and young adults, where they must make their own decisions. If smoking is their choice, they will have to live with the consequences.
I've witnessed situations where children from religious homes have adopted different beliefs or practices, despite their parents' objections. In such cases, parents often have to accept their child's choices, even if they disagree with them.
There are some things we cannot control. All we can do is hope that our children will stay true to the values we've tried to instill in them.
Thanks for reading.