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Posted on October 8, 2018 8:18 pm
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uryden
uryden
Reps: 205
Smoking
I have a student who smokes cigarettes. He told me him and his mom smoke together. How do I provide guidance to my student when his parents can't help show support themselves. I do not know how to appreciate the situation without the student feeling cornered.
 
     
     
 
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Solution 1
Posted February 18, 2019 5:16 pm

Cali Pohlman
Cali Pohlman
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There are a couple things you could do to show support for student health and well-being.
One, if possible, schedule a health services advocate to come into the class to do a presentation with the class.
additionally, there are organizations that districts partner with to provide health presentations and resources to students and families - look into those scheduled presentation days at your school as well!

Be mindful of any changes to student health such as weight loss, coughing, illness, etc. to ensure you can provide proper resources to student if need be.
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MeMuXu
MeMuXu
Reps: 203
Having a health service advocate come in would be a great way to address the issue without singling out the student. Great thought!
  Posted on: June 30, 2021 6:03 pm

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Solution 2
Posted February 24, 2019 5:47 pm

Keith Evans
Keith Evans
Reps: 204
This is a tricky situation, because unfortunately by law, if the child is 18, they are allowed to smoke cigarettes. Having a lesson on the harmful effects of smoking would most likely go in one ear and out the other, since this is a learned, condoned habit from their parents. Ensuring this child is not smoking on school grounds is one of the few ways of discontinuing his smoking habits. If the child is underage then this becomes a legal matter, the teacher can anonymously report it, and the parent can get in trouble.
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yhedyZ
yhedyZ
Reps: 205
That was the first thing I thought too, if he was of age, then it wasn't illegal. If he weren't to be of age then there would be different measures taken.
  Posted on: February 26, 2021 6:17 pm

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Solution 3
Posted July 7, 2019 5:08 pm

agedyQ
agedyQ
Reps: 211
I am not sure if his student is of legal age to smoke but either way it can be a sticky situation to address. If the student is legally old enough there is not much you can do other than talk to the student and provide information about smoking and the effects of smoking. You could have the school nurse talk to this student to give accurate information and come from another perspective. I would be sure to mention hat there is no judejement that you are just concerned for their health. I would use positive language.
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Danielle Brown
Danielle Brown
Reps: 102
I think that providing as much information as possible and creating open and supportive comunincation can go a long way with these students.
  Posted on: October 20, 2019 3:37 pm

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Solution 4
Posted February 21, 2019 6:10 pm

Desiree Boyd
Desiree Boyd
Reps: 204
Just report this to the guidance counselor. He/she will move forward to providing the student health help and possibly slow is intake of cigarettes or stop it all together.
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Danielle Brown
Danielle Brown
Reps: 102
Although thsis is one of the things that we are supposed to do, I do not think that it would actually help the student. When something like that is so comfortable at home its going to take more than a councelor to help the student.
  Posted on: October 20, 2019 3:15 pm

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Solution 5
Posted July 7, 2019 11:10 pm

sygaru
sygaru
Reps: 201
The first thing I would do is ask more about the situation. There may be context you're missing because you only see him in class. You should attempt to show that you care about his well-being.
I would next ask him if he can stop smoking in class, assuming he is. Explain that smoking in class leaves a nasty smell no matter where he's seated. You can contact the guidance counselor to see what their opinion is on the matter.
I personally also try to be understanding with tobacco users. It's an addiction, and for every story you hear about people who can instantly quit after some emotional guilting, there are ten people who have tried and failed to break the addiction. Most smokers also understand the health implications of smoking. It seems a lot of people don't realize that a tobacco addiction isn't something one can simply overcome. If you show support and gently show that you want him to stop, you can be the first step on his road to ending his addiction.
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Solution 6
Posted February 23, 2019 8:37 pm

HaJeRe
HaJeRe
Reps: 204
It is sad that his parents encourage this behavior and you cannot change the actions that parents take at home. Maybe you could bring this up to his health teacher or guidance counselor and they could show him the harm in smoking cigarettes.
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Solution 7
Posted February 24, 2020 3:13 am

tyquJy
tyquJy
Reps: 200
I would make a lesson out of it, without singling the student out in the class. Make it a point to educate your class the negative effects of drugs and alcohol. Include cigarettes in the lesson so that the information will get across without making the student uncomfortable.
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Solution 8
Posted October 5, 2020 3:13 pm

Kenneth Allen
Kenneth Allen
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As a teacher, you have to provide safety for the entire class. The students must abide by school policy rules on smoking.
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Solution 9
Posted March 8, 2021 3:26 am

nuNyLy
nuNyLy
Reps: 101
There are multiple ways to go about this, since the parent is not showing the student how bad smoking can be for them maybe you could bring them in some pamphlets or readings about the side effects. Or get in contact with their health teacher and see what they recommend in order for them to not feel cornered.
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Solution 10
Posted October 26, 2021 4:08 am

Georgia Gee
Georgia Gee
Reps: 200
Contact the guidance councilor to see what she has to say and how they can provide additional support
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Solution 11
Posted March 30, 2023 12:25 am

TuZuva
TuZuva
Reps: 103
With this situation it could be a little tricky. Have a one on one with the student while the other students are out of the classroom. By doing this, make sure you tell the student before hand so that they do not freak out. By talking to the student about the situation, making sure they understand that you are there for them no matter what is going on. If the student continues to tell you that they are smoking with their mom, contact the administrator and or the officer on campus and let them know about the situation and see what else there is to do.
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Solution 12
Posted April 15, 2022 8:10 pm

esujyQ
esujyQ
Reps: 202
It would be good to advocate for the health of all of your students to not single out the one.
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Solution 13
Posted October 11, 2018 9:14 pm

uTaGuv
uTaGuv
Reps: 200
You could attempt to teach a mini-lesson about the dangers of smoking to inform the student of the harm it is doing to his body.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be a way around discussing it with the student. If he is smoking on school grounds, I would report it to the guidance counselor or another administrator responsible for such acts.
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