Unfortunately, many parents don't initiate these conversations. A recent survey conducted by Impulse Research reveals that 79 percent of parents ranked topics like drugs, alcohol, and sex as more important to discuss than smoking.

To help parents start talking about not smoking with their kids, Active Parenting's Dr. Michael Popkin teamed up with Lorillard Tobacco Company's Youth Smoking Prevention Program to launch the "Take 10" Challenge. The Challenge encourages parents to take a written pledge to discuss not smoking with their kids and gives them the resources to make the conversation easier.

Taking the pledge is easy. Here's how it works:

• Log onto www.2take10.com and complete the online pledge form.
• Then watch the mail for a "pledge pack" with tools to help you keep your commitment, including a Challenge planner. Dr. Popkin's new book, Getting Through to Your Kids, will be sent to the first 500 parents who take the pledge.

Be an All-Star
Already a success communicating with your child? Let us know about it! "Take 10" is looking for five parenting "All-Stars"—moms and dads who talk to their kids and encourage them to make healthy lifestyle decisions—like not smoking. If you're selected as an All-Star, we'll donate $5,000 to the children's charity of your choice. Visit www.2take10.com for more details.

Attention family education leaders: Share this information with parents! Print out this page or contact us at 2take10.com for more information.

Reprinted from Leader magazine.
Copyright 2002 by Active Parenting Publishers, Inc.