Which scenario is least likely to encourage a young person to stop smoking?

• A. A health class about risks
• B. A doctor quit plan
• C. A peer who discourages smoking
• D. Parents who smoke but tell their children not to smoke

Answer: (D)

This item tests how family behavior and social influence shape a young person’s motivation to quit. When parents smoke but tell their children not to smoke, the observed behavior conflicts with the warning, sending a mixed message. Kids learn norms from their caregivers, so seeing smoking modeled at home can normalize the habit and make anti-smoking warnings less convincing. The inconsistency undermines the impact of the advice, making this scenario the least effective at encouraging stopping.

In contrast, a health class about risks increases awareness of harms; a doctor’s quit plan provides concrete steps and professional support; and a peer who discourages smoking offers social reinforcement against the habit. These approaches align behavior with the anti-smoking message and are more likely to motivate quitting.