Tobacco - Role Modeling

Prevent tobacco use through role modeling. More and more, tobacco use is being affected by social norms and what is seen as acceptable or normal behaviour.¹

When children and youth see tobacco being used anywhere and by those that they look up to (i.e. parents, siblings, friends, coaches, athletes, celebrities etc.), they are more likely to view tobacco as safe and/or normal.

• An individual is more likely to engage in harmful behaviour if it is seen as typical or “normal”.⁴
• Using tobacco may lead to other risky behaviour such as alcohol and other drugs.⁵
• It is important for youth to receive the same tobacco-free messages in their wider community as they experience at school.²
• What you do has more impact than what you say.² By using tobacco in front of youth while engaging in fun activities may cause youth to associate tobacco with fun.
• Restrictions on smoking in outdoor public places can have protective effect on smoking uptake among youth and young adults.⁶

What Can You Do?

• If you use tobacco and are ready, talk to a healthcare provider to get help to quit.
• If you are not ready to quit, look at ways to minimize exposure to the effects of tobacco use which includes smoking outside away from doorways and places where children, youth and adults are together in close proximity.
• Talk to your children about tobacco. Health Canada has information on how to talk to your children about tobacco.
• Comply with the City of London’s outdoor smoking bylaw and the provincial Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
• Support the creation of tobacco-free environments through education and policy development.

We need to set good examples; this will send a strong, consistent message to young people that a healthy life is one that is free from tobacco use.

Contact Us

For more information. please contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit's Tobacco Control Team.

• 519-663-5317 ext. 2673
• smokefreeinfo@mlhu.on.ca