Peer Pressure
A lot of organizations say that the teenagers start smoking in parties because of peer pressure. The exact definition of peer pressure is the pressure coming from a group in encouraging a person to change his attitude toward the group’s action. Teenagers actually don’t like the taste of cigarette at the beginning; they even get an headache because their body does not like cigarette . This page has been created to help you say no if you are in this case.
How You Can Get Influenced:
Friends/Students at school
"Come on. It won't hurt you to try."
"I got these cigarettes just for us."
"Everyone's smoking."
"The coolest kids smoke."
Adults/Family
"We forbid you to smoke cigarettes." (rebellion)
When parents smoke, teens may feel it's okay to do it too (parental modeling)
Ads/Media
"Smoking is glamorous."
"Smoking makes you tougher." (macho, empowered, independent)
Yourself
"I'll feel out of it if I don't smoke."
Ways to Say No:
Simply say "NO"
Often the easiest of the six resistance strategies, simply say "no" helps avoid arguments. People frequently believe, however, that such a brief reply won't work and that the offere will continue to pressure them. Thus, it's very important to help them see the viability of this response."No, I'd rather not."
"No, thanks"
"Thanks, but no thanks"
"Not me"
"No way"
"Not now (today, tonight)"
Give a Reason
Stress the use of "I" statements (saying it for yourself) as an integral part of this technique. Such statments take the preachy or judgmental tone out of the refusal ("I dont' like the taste" rather than "You jerk, how can you stand the way you smell?").Giving a reason may also include excuses ("My dad's picking me up soon").
"I don't like the taste"
"I don't want to ruin my lungs"
"I don't feel like it"
"I don't smoke"
"I don't want to get dependent on it"
Give an Alternative
The approach of giving an alternative can be particularly effective when the other person offers the cigarette asa way to make conversation orbe friendly. Young people who smoke may offer a cigarette simply to be friendly and to avoid excluding the other person. They often don't care if the offer is accepted or not. Others, particularly experimenters, may offer cigarettes to look cool. They may be relieved when the other person says "no". Use these alternatives below to make it clear that you are not rejecting the person offering it to you."No, but I'd sure like a soda"
"No, but let's go outside and talk"
"No, but I'm going to the mall if you want to come along"
"No, but I would like to spend some time/talk with you"
"No, but let's dance instead"
Stand up to Pressure
Peoples' concerns that a friendmight really pressure them with taunts to make them feel bad needs to be validated. They also need help asking what they really think about a friend who acts that way. To deal with this kind of pressure, you need to know that you don't have to give a reason if you don't want to. You may just repeat, "I'd rather not, I really don't want to" like a broken record. Or you may use any of the other saying "no" strategies."I already said 'no'"
"I just don't feel like it"
"I really meant it when I said 'no'"
Leave the Scene
Sometimes the pressure is very difficult to resist. If so, it may be easier to leave the scene. This doesn't necessarily mean leaving the party or the game. Sometimes it's possible to join another group or to walk into another room. Other times it may be asier to get away from the whole scene even though it may make you feel lonely or isolated. It helps to have figured out whom to call or rely on for a ride home before the situation arises. One may leave gracefully by saying:"I've got to go now"
"I have to be home in fifteen minutes"