Handout - Healthy Heart, Healthy Family, A CHW Manual

Protect your children!

Talk to your children about the harm that smoking will do to their health. Help them practice saying, “No, thanks. I don’t smoke.” If your children already smoke, the way you react can make a difference. Tell your children that you really care about them and what happens to them. Listen to their thoughts and feelings. Give them facts that can help them choose good health over smoking. Make your personal pledge to protect your family from cigarette smoke.

Here are some examples:

If you smoke–
I will set a quit date today. (The important thing is for you to pick the date–not your doctor, not your family, not your kids. It’s your decision.)
My quit date is (date)

To help your children stay smoke-free–
I will talk to my children about the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes and cigars. I will encourage them to create a sign that says, “We are proud to be smoke-free kids.”
I will do this on (date)

To protect your family, friends, and others from smokers–
I will let my family, friends, and others know that I do mind if they smoke around me. I will put a “No Smoking” sticker or sign in my house and car.
I will do this on (date)

To help your community–
I will encourage my neighbors and local businesses, such as restaurants, to be smoke free. I will give them “Thank You for Not Smoking” cards.
I will do this on (date)

The health of family and yourself is priceless. Value it!

Information on this page is taken from the English print version of “Healthy Heart, Healthy Family: A Community Health Worker's Manual.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH Publication No. 08-3674, Originally Printed 1999, Revised May 2008.

Last Updated March 2012

Session 10 Handout Break Free From the Smoking Habit

Protect your children!

Here are some examples: