DR. WALLACE: I'm 15 and have been going with a guy for almost a year. At first, my parents were overjoyed because he is very religious. He doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs. He doesn't even swear. I used to see him four or five times a week, but about four months ago my parents restricted me to seeing him only twice a week, even during summer vacation.

When this happened I was hurt, but now I'm angry. Why would my parents cut our visiting time in half for no apparent reason? To complicate things, my parents hardly talk to him anymore. This really hurts him. My mom and I used to be very close, but not anymore. Now I'm really confused and upset. I love all three of them. Please help me. —Teen, Elkhart, Ind.

TEEN: Chances are, your parents restricted your time with the guy because you appeared to be getting too serious about him. This is a big concern for most parents of 15-year-old daughters.

But there's no knowing for sure what's going on with your parents until the three

of you talk. It's definitely time for a heart-to-heart discussion. Since they appear to be unwilling to initiate it, you'll have to do it yourself. Find a time when they're not busy and in a good mood and ask, "Can we talk?"

Express your concern about the way they're snubbing him and ask why the time you're allowed to see him has been cut in half. There's no substitute for open and honest communications. Without them, simple misunderstandings can harden into family feuds.

I FIND YOUR COLUMN AMUSING

DR. WALLACE: I read your column because I find it interesting and, at times, amusing. I probably agree with 30 percent of what you preach. What I strongly disagree with is your everlasting nagging about the "evils" of smoking. I'm 19 and smoke at least a pack of cigarettes a day. My older sister, both of my parents, and my grandmother who lives with us, smoke and we all enjoy it. For those who don't want to breathe our smoke, we respect that and do not light up in mixed company. My great grandfather smoked all of his life and died at age 92.

Please get off your "soapbox" and stick to encouraging cheerleaders to behave themselves. I'm not convinced that smoking shortens your life. — Pete, Monmouth, Ill.

PETE: I "preach" the evils of tobacco because I'm convinced the addiction to tobacco is, indeed, a serious health hazard. It's true that some addicted smokers live a long life, but the truth is that, for the vast majority of addicted smokers, their lives are shortened.

According to The American Cancer Society, smoking shortens human life. Simply stated, they estimate that each cigarette smoked reduces life by five minutes.

Life is a precious gift, so all of us (parents, family, friends, community leaders, journalists and school personnel) must continue to urge young people not to smoke. It's a great battle and it will be won, one day at a time, one teen at a time...five minutes at a time.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.