Title: G38 - Teens Help Kick the Habit

Intro: Kicking the habit isn't easy. Most smokers who try to quit aren't successful until their fifth attempt. Researchers at Mayo Clinic are hoping to make quitting easier for adults by getting their teenage kids involved in the process. They've launched a study to find out if it will work. It's called "Flip the Script."

NICK LACKMANN IS A BUDDING CHEF WHO LIKES TO TEACH NEW RECIPES TO HIS MOM MARCIA.

"HE'S ACTUALLY GOOD AT GIVING ME POINTERS."

NICK'S ALSO TEACHING HER WHAT YEARS OF SMOKING IS DOING TO HER BODY.

"I STARTED WHEN I WAS 15. NOW I'M 42."

THIS TYPE OF ROLE REVERSAL, WHERE THE CHILD GUIDES THE ADULT, IS THE BASIS OF A MAYO CLINIC STUDY AIMED AT GIVING KIDS INFORMATION THAT WILL HOPEFULLY HELP THEM HELP THEIR PARENTS QUIT SMOKING.

"WE CALL IT FLIP THE SCRIPT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TEEN TO ACTUALLY HELP THE PARENTS."

EDUCATION OUTREACH COORDINATOR CHRISTINE HUGHES SAYS THE STUDY USES CHATROOMS TO EDUCATE TEENS AND ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS.

"STROKE IS THE 3RD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE U.S. AND SMOKING CAUSES STROKE."

THE TEENS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS. ONE GETS TIPS ON HOW TO HELP THEIR PARENTS AVOID LIGHTING UP. TIPS LIKE TAKING A WALK OR PLAYING A GAME WHEN THE URGE HITS. THE OTHER GROUP, THE GROUP THAT NICK IS IN, GETS HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT HOW SMOKING AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

"CARBON MONOXIDE IS SO DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN IN YOUR BLOOD."

THE STUDY WILL HOPEFULLY DETERMINE IF TEENS CAN HELP THEIR PARENTS QUIT, AND IF SO, WHICH TYPE OF INFO - TIPS OR GENERAL HEALTH - HELP MOST.

"WE'RE GUESSING THAT PROVIDING MORE SKILL TO THE TEEN TO HELP THEIR PARENT QUIT SMOKING WILL BE HELPFUL."

"IT MIGHT NOT BE EASY TO HAVE TO SIT AND LISTEN TO YOUR KIDS. BUT IT WILL MAKE YOU STOP AND THINK."

FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Tag:Nick says he wants his mom to quit because he's worried about her health. If you're interested in hearing more about this study, call 507-538-7443.

For more information, visit our Website at www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge.

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