I just found out my best friend smokes. She acts like it’s no big deal, but it is. She is only 13 and her parents are divorced, so she visits them both.

Her dad doesn’t know, but her mom is the one giving her cigarettes. I don’t think I can do anything about it, but I don’t want to see her get hurt. She told me not to tell anyone.

I’m glad you know how DUMB it is to smoke and what a shame it is to pick up a smelly, bad-for-you, expensive habit. It’s terrible her mom gives her cigarettes! While you can’t change people, you can tell your friend smoking is unhealthy and that she will almost definitely get hooked.

Tell her that while some kids may think smoking is cool, even more kids (like you) think it’s gross. Most of all, continue to avoid cigarettes yourself.

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8/22/2009 7:00:00 AM