Summertime means a lot of free time for kids. Unfortunately, many turn to unhealthy activities to pass the time.
In the summertime, you can go practically anywhere and see large groups of teens "hanging out". Lacking more productive alternatives, many kids spend their days congregating in malls and parks, on streetcorners and outside stores. While hanging out is a perfectly age-appropriate activity for teens, I am always saddened when I see these groups of young people smoking.
Cigarette advertising and peer pressure certainly play a part in a kid's decision to use tobacco. But I have to wonder how much teen smoking starts out of sheer boredom; from a lack of other activities and interests. Now that smoking indoors is illegal in many places, teens are driven outside, to corners and parking lots, visible to all, including the younger, impressionable children that may be passing by.
As concerned as I am about the smoking teens do in public, I also worry about what they might be doing in private; in their own homes, while there parents are working or otherwise occupied. Unfortunately teens are very adept at getting their hands on alcohol and illegal drugs. Without the time constraints of school, summertime is the perfect opportunity for kids to experiment and sadly for some, become regular users.
I don't know what the answer is, but I know that providing other activities for kids helps. So does talking to kids about the dangers of drug, alcohol and tobacco use, and helping kids learn to resist peer pressure. More regulation of advertising, and the way smoking and alcohol use are presented as sexy and cool, would also have an impact. All of these things play a part. Our kids should have better things to do with their time.
