Beware of "cigarette cards"! Are they an alternative "treasure" for children? In fact, they are invisible "killers" →

The trend of "cigarette cards" is quietly spreading among primary and secondary school students. This is not a cool new toy, but an "invisible killer" that poses a huge threat to children's physical and mental health!

Picture screenshot from CCTV13 News

Unveiling the "Cigarette Card": Children's Alternative "Treasure"

Imagine that those cigarette boxes that are usually thrown into the trash have now become "treasure boxes" in the eyes of children. It turns out that there are colorful small cards hidden inside - "cigarette cards". These cards were originally promotional materials of tobacco companies, but now they have become "trophies" in the hands of children. The "cigarette card" game is all the rage in schools. But parents, do you really understand the risks behind this?

Picture screenshot from CCTV13 News

Three major warnings: the invisible harm behind "cigarette cards"

① Academic performance has declined significantly. Although the "cigarette cards" are small, they can cause children's attention to deviate greatly. In order to collect these cards, children spend a lot of time and energy, and even in class, they are distracted, thinking about how to win the next "cigarette card war". In this way, they are not focused in class, and their studies are naturally affected. What's worse is that once children become curious about tobacco and try smoking, they will also suffer from problems such as memory loss and slow reaction.

② Health issues . In order to collect more cigarette cards, children do not hesitate to rummage through trash cans and lie on the ground. These behaviors are not only unhygienic, but also easy to come into contact with bacteria, increasing the risk of disease. What is more worrying is that children's early exposure to tobacco products in games may arouse their curiosity about cigarettes and even take to smoking. You know, the proportion of middle school students in China who try to smoke cannot be underestimated. Every parent does not want to see their children become one of them, right?

Picture screenshot from CCTV13 News

③ Impact on mental health. The "cigarette card" game not only brings about a contest of winning or losing, but also a hotbed of competition among children. In order to win the game, children may do whatever it takes, even causing contradictions and conflicts. Under this kind of pressure, the psychological burden on children increases, and psychological problems such as anxiety and depression also follow.

Picture screenshot from CCTV13 News

Parents' Action Guide to Protecting Children's Future

📌 Communicate in time and understand the latest developments.

At the beginning of the school year, have an in-depth conversation with your children to understand whether they are addicted to the "Cigarette Card" game, and use an understanding and tolerant attitude to guide your children to recognize the harm of the game.

📌 Cultivate interests and divert attention.

Encourage children to participate in more activities that are beneficial to their body and mind, such as sports, reading, art, etc., to help them develop healthy interests and hobbies and stay away from the temptation of "cigarette cards".

📌 Home-school cooperation and joint supervision.

Maintain close contact with the school and pay attention to the children's dynamics together. Parents and schools work together to create a healthy and positive learning environment for children.

📌 Pay attention to mental health and intervene in time.

Once you discover that your child is experiencing emotional fluctuations or psychological problems due to the "cigarette card" game, you should communicate with the child in a timely manner and seek help and intervention from professional institutions if necessary.

Don’t let “cigarette card” become the first problem in the new semester. Use our love and wisdom to support a pure sky for children, so that they can study happily and grow up healthily in the new semester!

Author | Fatty has material

Editor | Mujiji