Hi Sam,
i was wondering what i could do for my situation. My mum is always in the courtyard smoking and never spends time with me. I tell her to stop, but when she does, shes back smoking in no time. I am really emotional about it because she is the only person i have because she is not married.
Please reply
Hi there,
Smoking can damage health, so its natural to worry about someone you love who smokes. It's also important to remember, though, that adults are allowed to make their own choices.
Its okay to try and educate someone about the risk they are taking by smoking and to let them know that you would prefer it if they stopped. It could be a good idea to think about how you could talk to your mum so that she will hopefully listen to what you have to say. You might find it useful to have a look at the Smokefree website which has lots of information and support about giving up smoking.
It can be difficult when something gets in the way of your relationship with someone you care about. Being really honest about how you feel might be a good way to start trying to improve things. It sounds like you really miss having time with your mum. Perhaps you could try letting your mum know that you would like to spend more time with her, and that her smoking can make it difficult to do that.
If someone you care about continues to smoke after you have explained your reasons for wanting them to stop, it is not your fault that they have made this decision. Lots of adults choose to smoke even when they are aware of the health risks. Perhaps what could be important is to think about making a different choice for yourself if you ever consider smoking.
Take care,
Sam
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