HOW CAN I STOP HER SMOKING?

Dear Coleen

My best friend thought it would be a good idea to smoke some roll-up cigarettes with my other friend. Although I was there, I didn’t smoke and neither did a few of my other friends.

I don’t think she should be doing it and I’m worried for her health, but I don’t want to seem annoying by telling her to stop.

None of our other friends seem bothered about it the way I am. I don’t want to snitch either!

What should I do?

Coleen says

When you’re alone with this friend, just say to her, “Look, I can’t stop you from smoking, but I don’t think you should do it because it’s the worst thing you can do for your health and it’s hard to stop”. I should know – I’m a smoker and I know how difficult it is to give up once you’ve been doing it for a while.

Also, I think you being strong – along with your other friends – and not bowing to peer pressure might have affected how she feels about it and will hopefully make her think twice.

These days, smoking really isn’t cool – my kids have told me that often enough!

Most really young people these days don’t do it – they have more sense than the older generation.

Hopefully, it’s just a phase and she’s trying to be cool and rebellious, but when she realises that the rest of you aren’t joining in, she might quit.