Is there an age when someone is old enough to start smoking and have that decision be respected?

Question

And no, I'm not a kid who's just started smoking and yes I do realize that smoking's unhealthy. I'm asking this because I've seen a lot of questions from parents who want their kids to stop smoking -- a couple of questions that come to mind refer to a 9 and a 12 year old.

I think that when a kid's relatively grown up and independent they should be allowed to make their own decision about smoking. Probably somewhere around 16 -18. The age when kids are already old enough to drive and work and (in many peoples opinion) to have sex. I know it's a bad habit, I'm just wondering if theres an age when someones decision to smoke should be respected.

Answer 1

18 is the age of majority in this country, whereby you are entitled to vote, and are legally considered an adult and outside of parental authority. For pretty much every purpose except buying alcohol and consuimg it in public, you are entitled to act as you please within the law.

As a practical matter, however, if you are legally or functionally an adult, but still living within your parent or guardian's home, they are entitled to call the shots about what goes on in their house, including (but not limited to) your smoking behavior. Why? Because they pay the bills and run the household. When you are ready as an adult to either kick in your share, or take responsibility for your own living situation, then you get full authority.

Any parent who has a problem with a smoking 9 or 12 year old has totally abdicated control of their child and parental responsibility. I find it amazing how many kids today are raised without firm rules and discipline in their home, by parents who seem to think it it someone else's responsibility to raise their child, usually cable television and the public school system.

Yes, at some point children can and should be given control over the choices that affect their life. That's what growing up is all about. Those changes start to happen slowly, from dressing themselves and learning to brush their teeth, bathe, etc. all the way up to doing their homework, riding a bike and eventually driving a car. The pivotal person who facilitates this process is the parent, who watches, waits, advises, counsels, helps, disciplines, corrects, etc. and otherwise prepares that child to grow up to make rational and positive decisions.

Answer 2

I am a cancer nurse and if it were my choice, I would make smoking illeagal until the age of 21 and if your caught smoking before the age of 21, it should be punishable with jail time or some type of work program.
There is not excuse for having such a bad habit in this day and age. We know the problems which are associated with smoking and we know it is addicting. Tobbacco companies are being sued and the freaking smokers are winning their cases. Why? Because they chose to start smoking and say they did not realize the consequences. Back then, maybe not, but in these times we definitely know the result.
I figure by the time you are 21, some of the peer pressure to be cool and do adult things is past. If you still want to smoke at 21, its your money, not your mom and dads.
PS: I know people who should not be allowed to have sex until they are 21 too. Having sex does not mean you are responsible.

Answer 3

I would say around 18, since that's the earliest it's legal for them to buy tobacco products anyway. If my child wants to smoke, they're damn well going to be paying for the habit themselves. I think most parents come to the realization when their child is 18 that they are considered an adult and are willing to ease up on a lot of things they disapproved of when the person was younger.

Answer 4

You have to be 18 to buy tobacco, how could you be respected at 16 to start smoking.

I have a hard time respecting anybodies decision to start smokin, most smokers didn't decide to start. They tried and now can't quit!

Don't start that is respectable!

Answer 5

21You are old enough to legally drink.It should be the same for cigarettes. Now a days smoking is out( and bad for you, but so are donuts),So I don't know if it will ever be respected. It's your body, you can do anything with it ,Have a nice day,it's going to be a hot one.

Answer 6

i totally agree my life sucks like crap im 18 never been to one party or prom or had ONE gf or kissed a girl my mom tells me girls are dirty and all these concepts of having friends is bs parents are idiots they ruin u socially telling u to study great im in my 20s fully educated and most of the women are used or taken really stupid parents dont get it parents then blame us when we dont care about life or our future well because they made us SO socially inept and were never able to improve our social skills or feel confident but always ALONE and out of the crowd i CANT even go to the movies facebook= BAD and perverted according to them and even YA is off limits everything i do is in secret

Answer 7

Such an age would be the age of majority - 21.

Answer 8

18. BTW, 16 is not old enough to have sex. 16 years olds are too young to be having sex.

Answer 9

How can you respect someone who intentionally wants to cause themselves and those around them pain and suffering?Don't start an addiction that is so hard to break.

Answer 10

I'd say if someone makes it to 100yrs old, they can do whatever the hell they like!