Andrew Tate Criticized for Smoking Around Young Son Despite His Defense

Andrew Tate has sparked fresh backlash after posting a video that shows him smoking near his young son. The controversial influencer attempted to defend his actions, but many viewers were not convinced.

In the clip, shared on X (formerly Twitter), Tate is seen on a rooftop with his son, guiding him through a shadow boxing routine. He instructs the child on which arm to punch with and insists that he address him as “sir.” While the exercise itself caught some attention, most of the criticism centered on the fact that Tate was smoking in close proximity to his son throughout the video.

One viewer questioned him directly, asking, “Just curious: is all that smoke good for the kid?”

Tate fired back with a dismissive response, suggesting that people are overreacting.

“It's amazing how weak people are and how weak they think kids are. At his age, I was around murder and drugs in Gary, Indiana. He's not—because his father (me) is a billionaire. And you think a little smoke OUTSIDE is going to harm a child? You're a coward, and your children will follow.”

One viewer questioned him directly, asking, “Just curious: is all that smoke good for the kid?”

His defense did little to ease concerns, with many calling him out again for normalizing smoking near a child. One commenter replied, “You don’t have the discipline you claim. You couldn’t even keep from subjecting your child to thousands of chemicals from a tobacco product.”

Another critic summed it up by saying, “That’s a lot of yapping for: ‘Yeah, it’s bad, but like I’ve been through worse, so it’s chill.’”

Despite his efforts to frame smoking around his son as harmless, Tate’s video has fueled another round of criticism, adding to the long list of controversies surrounding him.

From a psychological perspective, smoking around children not only poses physical health risks but also has emotional and behavioral implications. Dr. Susan David, a renowned psychologist and expert in emotional agility, states that "children exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk for developing anxiety and behavioral issues." Additionally, she emphasizes that "the normalization of smoking behavior can lead children to perceive it as an acceptable habit" (susandavid.com).

Tate replied:

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It is actually science

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While the harmful physical effects of smoking are well known, from lung damage to increased cancer risk, one of the less talked-about dangers is the influence it has on children.

Kids naturally look to their parents and caregivers as role models, often copying their behaviors long before they fully understand the consequences. When a child regularly sees a parent smoking, it can normalize the habit and make it seem like an acceptable or even desirable part of adult life.

That’s a lot of yapping for: ‘Yeah, it’s bad, but like I’ve been through worse, so it’s chill.’

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Understanding the Psychology of Influence

As an influencer, Andrew Tate's actions hold significant sway over his followers. His behaviors can be socially contagious, and this includes smoking around children. According to research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, exposure to smoking in popular media can increase the likelihood of smoking uptake among adolescents.

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Beyond the health risks of secondhand smoke, the example being set can be just as damaging. Studies have shown that children whose parents smoke are far more likely to pick up the habit themselves later on.

What may seem like a small act to a parent can carry a lasting impression on a child, shaping how they view health, discipline, and personal choices. Parents are often the most powerful influence in a young person’s life, which makes the behavior they model just as important as the advice they give.

The Role of Role Models

Role models play a crucial part in a child's development. According to Dr. Madeline Levine, a child psychologist, "Children are like sponges; they absorb everything around them, including behaviors and attitudes." When a prominent figure like Andrew Tate smokes around his child, he may inadvertently be sending a message that such behavior is acceptable.

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

From a psychological perspective, smoking around children not only poses physical health risks but also has emotional and behavioral implications. Dr. Susan David, a renowned psychologist and expert in emotional agility, states that "children exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk for developing anxiety and behavioral issues." Additionally, she emphasizes that "the normalization of smoking behavior can lead children to perceive it as an acceptable habit" (susandavid.com).