Dear Dish-It, My Cousin Thinks I Smoke

Smoking is extremely harmful to your health.

Teen Smoking

Dear Dish-It, is here to whisper "ttyl after I've thought about this some more".

Dear Dish-It,

I'm so close to my older cousin, but for some reason she thinks I smoke WHEN I DON'T AT ALL! She won't believe me when I say I don't and she isn't talking to me and says she hates me! But I haven't even done anything wrong! How can I get her to believe me? I'd do anything to get her back! Please, please, please help. I'm so upset I can't sleep! Thanks.
gemma x

Dear gemma,

Why do you think your cousin jumped to the conclusion that you've been smoking if you haven't? Do any of your friends smoke, or have they in the past? As I'm sure you already know, smoking is extremely hazardous to your health and is extremely addictive. I doubt that your cousin actually hates you, but she is probably just very frustrated, thinking that you are doing something that could really harm you. If your cuz won't sit down and let you explain yourself, why not write her a letter? If you have tried smoking in the past, let her know that you have but haven't tried it since. Being honest with a person is the best way to win back their trust. If you seriously have never even attempted to smoke, then tell her that. Make sure you are very clear with her that you are aware of how stupid smoking is and that you definitely aren't about to take it up as a habit. Also let her know how important her friendship and support is to you. Chances are she's just looking out for you and will be happy to know that she was wrong about the smoking thing. Good luck!

So, ya gotta burnin' question? Need some love directions? Thinkin' 'bout stuff like depression, sex,how ya feel 'bout YOURSELF (that's called "self-esteem"), boyfriends, girlfriends, losin' old friends, bullyin' or peer pressure, but too scared to ask the parents? Don't be scared to Dish-It here. But 'member, if ya hang out in Chat with other Kidzworld members who know ya by your 'username', ya might wanna use a secret nickname when ya write in. That way no one'll ever know it's you. And, just in case ya don't know, Dish-It gets a lotta letters everyday, and she can't answer 'em all. So keep checkin' the column cuz she's prob'ly answerin' somethin' very similar to your question while you're out doin' somethin' else. K? And Thanks! Ya keep her outta trouble. Oh! And if ya've got words of wisdom you wanna share,We'll dish 'em up, too.