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FACING TOUGH SITUATIONS

Sometimes preparing for situations before they happen can help you deal with them when or if they do happen. For example, learning ways to say "no" to your friends who pressure you to do things you dont want to do can be helpful.

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When you are feeling pressure to use tobacco products because they are being offered to you, you can refuse in any number of ways. Check out the techniques and examples on the next pages and on the poster on this page.


Click to open the poster in a separate window so you can refer back to it.

How to say no
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A small group of students has gathered at a friend’s house one evening. When cigarettes come out, Susan is offered one by a casual friend. She chooses not to accept. She responds to the offer by saying one of the things on the following pages.


Refer back to this page as necessary to refresh your memory of the situation.

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Susan responds to the offer by saying:

"No, thanks, I’d just rather not. Let’s go talk to Erika instead." (Suggest something else.)

How would you suggest something else?

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Susan responds to the offer by saying:

"No. Tobacco ‘perfume’ is not for me." (Add some humor.)

How would you add some humor?

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Susan responds to the offer by saying:

"No, I’m really trying to take care of my health and cigarettes just aren’t good for me." (Talk about the consequences.)

How would you talk about the consequences?

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Susan responds to the offer by saying:

"No, I think I’ll pass.” Then, if the person insists, Susan says, “I’m not going to do that, and I’m going to ask you to please stop pressuring me." (Stand up for yourself.)

How would you stand up for yourself?

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Susan responds to the offer by saying:

"No, thanks. Did you watch the new show last night?" (Change the subject.)

How would you change the subject?

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Susan responds to the offer by saying:

"No. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll be taking off now. I’ll see you another time." (Walk away.)

What would you say before walking away?

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Susan responds to the offer by saying:

"Why in the world would you want to use tobacco, that’s smelly, expensive, illegal, and bad for your health?" (Reverse the pressure.)

How would you reverse the pressure?

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Which of the techniques on previous pages might work for you? Why?

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ACT IT OUT!

Read the scenarios on the next three pages. With your group, type some ideas about how to role-play each situation. Be prepared to discuss how best to say “no” and "escape" each situation. Use the techniques listed on the previous pages and the "How to Say 'No'" poster, or come up with your own.

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You are hanging out in a park with some friends. Some are smoking. One person offers you a cigarette by saying, "Here, you always refuse these, but it's about time you try one."

Now, jot down some notes about how to role-play this situation with your group to show how you’d say “no.”

After you role-play the situation, move on to the next page.

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You are with a friend and his older brother, who says to you, “Y’know, I waited until the seventh grade before I started using tobacco. I think it’s time you guys got started.” He gives his younger brother some tobacco, and the brother accepts it. It’s then offered to you.

Now, jot down some notes about how to role-play this situation with your group to show how you’d say "no."

After you role-play the situation, move on to the next page.

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You’re walking home from the movies with four friends, and one friend pulls out moist snuff, a type of smokeless tobacco. Your friend says, "I’m feeling pretty generous today, so your first taste is on me." The tin is passed around and everyone takes a dip. Then the tin is offered to you.

Now, jot down some notes about how to role-play this situation with your group to show how you’d say "no."

Role play this situation. Then, congratulate yourself—you’ve completed this activity and learned some new ways to say "no"!

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ACTIVITY
COMPLETE!