Back around 1970 when I was in 8th grade my science teacher gave us a lesson on smoking. He pulled out a handkerchief and smoked a cigarette through it. When he was done he showed us the yellow stain on the handkerchief that the air going through left. It was pretty disgusting.
He then told us that yellow stuff goes into your lungs with every puff on a cig. He pointed out that was only one cig and try to imagine two packs a day, every day for the rest of your shortened life.
He then explained how all that yellow stuff lines the airways of your lungs which are lined with cilia. Those are tiny little hairs that that act like sweepers that help keep your lungs clear but when the cilia is covered with the yucky yellow stuff your lungs will clog up. Then you start to cough and then you start to cough up yucky stuff.
It was at that moment that I understood exactly what both my parents were going through who were two pack a day smokers. My dad smoked non filter Camels
My parents were both able to quit smoking when each had major surgery and kicked it while in the hospital. When they came home my brother and sisters made sure they didn't start up again which they never did.
That science lesson and seeing it's affects on my parents was enough to convince me to never smoke. That was way back in 1970 when the dangers of smoking was just coming to light for the general public and was nowhere near the awareness that it is to day.
Seriously, anyone under the age of 40 that has smoked or smokes has made a very, very poor decision that has to be based on stupidity. I look at young people today that smoke and all I see is a whole lot of FAIL. I was walking my dog the other day and I saw my neighbor and her daughter both smoking cigarettes in the driveway before they got in the car to take her to high school. That's just plain stupid to me
So here's my advise. Educate him about smoking and don't leave ANYTHING out.
There are about a million really good reasons to not smoke. There isn't one good reason to smoke.
A few key points to touch on are obviously health and stress this the most.
Explain the cycle of cigarette smokers. They start young like at 14 or 15 because they think it's cool and because of peer pressure. They smoke for a few years before finally realizing they've made a big, big mistake. Then they spend several more years trying to quit. Some are successful and some are not. Many will lose their life tragically cut short because of that stupid decision to smoke. It takes them all that to experience before they learn that the REAL cool people were the ones that knew better and didn't smoke.
Point out other things like the cost and how much money is wasted and what else that money could buy him instead.
Point out positive role models that don't smoke. Point out how athletes don't smoke and explain exactly why.
Point out how disgusting they are. How the smell sticks to your clothes. How it makes your breath stink and girls won't want to kiss you.
Point out how much of a burden it is. Always having to get yourself a pack. Always looking for a lighter or having to bum a light. Having to go outside to smoke in most public places while smarter people get to sit inside and enjoy the surroundings they picked to go to in the first place. Always having to hold something in your hand and when you want to put it down you're always looking for an ashtray.
Of course if you're a slob then you just drop your ashes and then toss your butt out the window. Maybe you'll be so lost you'll dump your car's ashtray out into the street at the next stoplight. Lots of people think the beach is one giant ashtray and just push their nasty cigs into the sand for the cool people and the seagulls to deal with.
Just educate as thoroughly as you can, point out what you think would have the deepest effect on them and keep on them.
Why would anyone take a bad path through life when a better path has been presented to you.
