Tips for a Smoke-free Ride

There is no safe way to smoke in a car with children. It can be hard to cope with a long car ride without reaching for a cigarette.  Here are a few tips to help keep your ride smoke free:

1. Talk to your kids.  When they understand that you are committed to giving them a smoke-free ride because you love them and want to protect them, they are more likely to give you support and encouragement.

2. Put a no-smoking sticker in the car to remind everyone that it’s officially a smoke-free zone.

3. Clear out the ashtray and fill it with sugar-free candies or change.

4. Keep several packs of sugar-free gum in the glove compartment.

5. Lock your cigarettes in the trunk before you get in the car, and retrieve them when you’ve reached your destination.

6. When planning your trip, leave yourself enough time to step outside for a cigarette before and/or after getting in the car with your kids.

7. Ask your doctor about nicotine replacement therapies to help control cravings while you’re in the car.

8. Reward yourself with a music CD, a coffee card or other treat after the first week of smoke-free driving.

For more support in keeping your ride smoke free, call 1-888-344-LUNG (5864). You can find more tips on improving the air quality in your home by visiting http://www.yourhealthyhome.ca/, an interactive website that takes you on a room-by-room tour of a typical home.

You can also sign up for the OLA’s eNewsletter, which offers health information and tips.

Changing your behavior will take time and effort.  But your kids are worth it.  And they’ll thank you for it.