The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open. The more you talk to your children, the better chance you have of staying close when things get tough or when important issues like smoking arise.

Many teenagers still think smoking is cool. Here are some tools to help parents stay diligent in keeping their kids from smoking.

Every day, about 3,000 U.S. teenagers start smoking. If you're a parent of a young smoker, you can take steps to help the child quit. But first, it helps to understand why teens light up.

Hear the facts about smoking from those who have been doing it for a few years. Find a smoker or two. Ask a few questions. See if their answers sound something like these.

Right away, you may cough, wheeze, and have a sore throat—that’s the tar clogging up your lungs. You may also have a headache, feel dizzy, and be nauseated—that’s the nicotine in your brain. Over time, you risk lung and throat cancer, and lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis.