how can you tell if your teenager is vaping

• The FDA has called teen vaping an “epidemic”
• Juul, which resembles a small flash drive, is the most popular e-cigarette amongst underage users
• Look for signs including increased thirst, irritability, nosebleeds, and restlessness
• If you find unfamiliar USB cables, batteries, or chargers; empty pods, or the actual vaping devices then your kid may be vaping

Full Answer

What is the real risk behind teen vaping?

The teen years are critical for brain development, which continues into young adulthood. Young people who use nicotine products in any form, including e-cigarettes, are uniquely at risk for long-lasting effects.

What effects does vaping have on teenagers?

What Are the Other Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults?

• Scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.
• Some of the ingredients in e-cigarette aerosol could also be harmful to the lungs in the long-term. ...
• Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.

More items...

Is vaping bad for teenagers?

Vaping inflames the throat and lungs, causing irritation and opening the door for illnesses. Your teen might constantly clear their throat, cough or even experience chest pain. They could also be more susceptible to lung-related illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia.

How does vaping affect teens, vaping and mental health?

Vaping puts nicotine into the body. Nicotine is highly addictive and can: slow brain development in teens and affect memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention, and mood increase the risk of other types of addiction later in life

Can you test a teenager for vaping?

Blood Test: A simple blood draw can detect traces of nicotine about two hours after use. Test priced at $70. Hair Follicle Test: This is a good option for parents who think their child has been either vaping or smoking nicotine for a long period of time and the child might stop using it just to get through the test.

What are the symptoms of vaping?

The most commonly-reported adverse effects were throat/mouth irritation, headache, cough, and nausea, which tended to dissipate with continued use....The most common side effects of vaping include:coughing.dry mouth and throat.shortness of breath.mouth and throat irritation.headaches.

How can you tell if your child has been vaping?

Olorunnisola, these are some signs parents can look for that may suggest if a child is vaping:Increased thirst. Vaping removes hydration from the skin, especially around the mouth and throat. ... Nosebleeds. ... 'Vaper's tongue. ... Skin damage. ... Sleep disturbance. ... Emotional problems. ... Passing on caffeine.

What are 3 signs of a vaping addiction?

There are also several physical signs of addiction.Dry Mouth. Propylene glycol, a common ingredient found in e-juice, can cause dry mouth. ... Dizziness. Researchers monitored 33 smokers over 21 days. ... Coughing. For some, vaping is a gateway to smoking. ... Skin Problems. ... Itchiness. ... Dry Eyes. ... Nosebleeds. ... Nicotine Overdose.More items...•

Can you tell if someone is vaping in your house?

“The biggest thing to look for is paraphernalia, like chargers, cartridges, cartridge packs, e-juice bottles, etc.” he said of items that are left out inadvertently. Parents may smell odors if a child is vaping in the bathroom or bedroom, and they may spot symptoms if their child vapes a synthetic drug, he added.

What happens to teenagers when they vape?

Using nicotine in adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections – or synapses – are built between brain cells. Young people's brains build synapses faster than adult brains.

Can your lungs recover from vaping?

Breathing in the harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (cannot be cured) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death.

Why do teens vape?

addiction, they like the “hit” they get from nicotine. appealing flavors (e.g. fruit, candy, dessert) devices are seen as trendy, or a status symbol. they consider vaping “harmless” and “safer than smoking” in order to quit or cut down on smoking.

Is there such a thing as a vape detector?

Vape detectors, like the HALO Smart Sensor, accurately monitor the quality of air and detect dangerous vaping chemicals when present in school bathrooms and send notification alerts to assigned faculty members. They are an effective and affordable solution, and their visible presence acts as a deterrent.

Can you smell vape on clothes?

Vaping vapors period clings to your clothes, nowhere near as bad as cigarettes, but vapor smells like whatever food flavoring is added, and then both pg, and vg have slight odors to the them. Cigarette smoke can be detected more than 3 hours after a single cigarette is smoked in a room. 2.

Can you smell vape in a house?

Some vaping products also produce odors that can be hard to remove. These smells may not be as strong as those caused by tobacco smoking; still, a shopper may notice odors while touring the home.

Should I punish my child for vaping?

Now that you are aware of the hazards brought by e-cigarettes, you have every right to punish your teen for vaping. It does not matter if they are only using it for recreational purposes. Vaping is still addictive and damaging. Some ways to punish your child are scolding and grounding them.

How can you tell if someone is using nicotine?

Increased appetite and weight gain. Irritability, frustration and anger. Restlessness and impatience. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleeping too much.

What is Vaper's tongue?

Vaper's tongue (also known as vaper's fatigue) is a term that covers taste-related ailments. Often this happens from frequent use of a single, individual flavour. So, if you've been vaping the same flavour for a few weeks. you'll probably start to notice the difference in taste or lack thereof.

How long does vape smoke stay in the room?

Even in a poorly ventilated area with windows shut, any smells from vaping should be gone in only ten minutes or so, instead of lasting around for hours like smoking.

How do you find a vape in your house?

A PM2. 5 detector is an excellent low cost detector in an indoor environment to confirm if vapers or e-cigarettes were used. A sensitive PM2. 5 detector can be considered a vaping, vaper, or e-cigarette detector.

What can a 15 year old do when vaping?

5 Tips to Help Teens Quit VapingReason with your child. Have an honest discussion about the effects of vaping and how this type of addiction can lead to other substance abuse. ... Be present. ... Talk, don't punish. ... Appeal to their desire for independence. ... Equip them with support and resources.

What percentage of teenagers vape?

Data also shows that teens are not simply experimenting with e-cigarettes but are instead using them habitually. In 2021, more than a quarter (27.6%) of high school e-cigarette users and 8.3% of current middle school e-cigarette users reported vaping daily, according to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey.

What to do when you find out your child is vaping?

If your child is caught vaping or admits to vaping, try to stay calm and non-judgmental. Listen, don't lecture....Invite your child to talk, be patient and ready to listen.Try to understand their feelings.Avoid showing judgment.Keep asking questions and check to make sure you understand.

What can someone do if they become addicted to vaping?

It's best to seek help as early as possible. This could mean speaking with a loved one, a medical professional or a support group." "The longer you let vaping addiction go on, the more difficult it will be to stop. The time to start making changes is now.

What are 5 dangers of vaping?

Vaping has been linked to lung injury.Rapid onset of coughing.Breathing difficulties.Weight loss.Nausea and vomiting.Diarrhea.

How does vaping affect your body?

Nicotine in e-liquid goes quickly from your lungs to your bloodstream. It causes your body to release adrenaline, a hormone that raises your pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate. This could play a role in raising your heart attack odds. You may also feel more alert and need to cough.

How do I know if my lungs are damaged from vaping?

What are the symptoms of EVALI?Shortness of breath.Cough.Chest pain.Fever and chills.Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.Rapid heartbeat.Rapid and shallow breathing.

What illnesses can vaping cause?

These aldehydes can cause lung disease, as well as cardiovascular (heart) disease. E-cigarettes also contain acrolein, a herbicide primarily used to kill weeds. It can cause acute lung injury and COPD and may cause asthma and lung cancer.

How to prevent vaping?

In the meantime, the best way to prevent your child from engaging in vaping is to continue to have open conversations and stay keenly aware of their habits.

Why does vaping cause dry mouth?

Vaping can cause dehydration or dry mouth, most likely a cause of the ingredient in the e-liquid called propylene glycol. If your teen is drinking more water or has dark circles under their eyes, a symptom of dehydration, you may want to investigate further.

What is a vape pod?

Here's what we do know. Vaping uses a battery powered device called an e-cigarette that warms a liquid, turning it into a vapor that can be inhaled. The liquid is typically purchased in pods and comes in a variety of flavors. Most e-cigarette pods contain nicotine that is often more concentrated than in cigarettes and impacts brain function, attention and memory. For instance, JUUL pod packs can provide as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes.

Why do teens have a sensitivity to caffeine?

Because e-cigarettes often contain such high doses of caffeine, teens can sometimes develop a sensitivity to caffeine. If you notice your teen has cut back on drinking caffeine products like coffee or energy drinks, it could indicate a sign of vaping.

How to help a child with e-cigarettes?

The best approach is to have regular conversations with your child about the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco products , and hope you can have a positive impact on their habits. You should also be aware of the friends and company that your child keeps. If they are e-cigarette or tobacco users, there's a good chance your child is using these products as well.

Can a child be vaping?

While it is definitely easier for your child to hide a vaping habit than a cigarette smoking habit, with a little bit of detective work and staying in tune to your child's routines, there are a few cues you can watch for that may be an indication your child is vaping. These include:

Is weed harmful to e-cigarettes?

Even more harmful is the fact that other substances can also be used with e-cigarettes including marijuana and hash oil, opiates and dangerous synthetic substances like flakka and “synthetic weed” such as K2 and Spice. The use of marijuana in e-cigarettes has been associated with the national outbreak of lung injury and death in youths over the past year.

How Can I Talk to My Child About Vaping?

Ask about their friends and if their friends do it. Ask what they may know about it. Open and honest communication is the best way to ensure that your teen doesn’t get involved with vaping.

Why do teens vape?

Social and family influence (39%) — The most prevalent reason teens are vaping is that someone they know is also vaping. This shows the impact of setting an example on a teen’s life decisions.

How many flavors of vape juice are there?

Flavorings — There are over 7,000 flavors to choose from. The most popular chemical found in flavorings is diacetyl, a deadly substance if inhaled. There are more toxic chemicals in vape juice flavorings that can pose health risks when inhaled.

What do vapes wear?

They wear strong-scented perfumes. They might be trying to get rid of the smell of vapes by wearing strong-scented perfumes.

What are the components of a vape?

These come with various parts. The components of these types of vapes may include square-shaped plastic containers. These containers are the pods. Look out for bottles filled with flavors liquid or vape juice, metal coils, colored rubber bands, etc. If you find any of these near you or within your teen’s stuff, such unrecognizable components can be a sign that your kid vapes.

What are the parts of a vape?

You see vape equipment in their belongings. Some of the most self-evident vape parts are burnt cotton, vape juice, and batteries.

What are the ingredients in vape juice?

Vape juice is made up of four ingredients: water, nicotine, flavorings, glycerin, and/or propylene glycol (PG)

Why do kids vape?

If you see your child heavily increasing their liquid consumption (and also peeing more), they may be vaping. Desire for flavor. Moisture is key to enjoying the flavor of foods. When the mouth is dried out, you lose flavor perception. So, with routine vaping, food can become less flavorful.

Why does vaping cause dry mouth?

Increased thirst. Vaping is hydroscopic, meaning the process of vaping removes hydration from skin of the mouth and throat. This leaves users with a dry, flat palate. As a natural consequence, the body craves liquids to combat dehydration. If you see your child heavily increasing their liquid consumption (and also peeing more), they may be vaping.

What are the parts of an e-cigarette?

E-cig devices do have parts and cartridges that need to be exchanged and replaced. Commonly, these parts are spare wires, cotton balls or small containers (“pods”) that contain e-juice. If your teen is carrying an unfamiliar tech-looking device, or if there are interesting items in their trash bin, I might ask.

Does vaping make your nose bleed?

So, with routine vaping, food can become less flavorful. This even has a name: “vaper's tongue.”. If your teen is reaching for the salt or enjoying unusually spicy foods, this may be a clue. Nosebleeds. Just like vaping dries the mouth, it dries the skin of the nose as well. When the nose gets dry, it can bleed. Acne.

Do Juul pods contain nicotine?

Most importantly, however, is the knowledge that kids’ brains are super sensitive to nicotine. All Juul and Phix pods contain nicotine. When an immature brain (read: less than 25 years old) is exposed, it takes less of the drug to get addicted.

Is vaping a risk for teens?

Watch for signs of nicotine use in your teen to help with early intervention. As the popularity of vaping continues to rise, so does your child’s risk.

Is vaping bad for kids?

Short-term data and common sense confirm that vaping and kids is a bad combination. Research supports the notion that e-cigs are a potential gateway to consuming traditional tobacco products, leading to another generation of kids who will become exposed to tobacco’s known harmful effects.

What does it mean when a teenager vapes?

· Increased Thirst: Vaping is hydroscopic – meaning it dries out the mouth and throat. Drinking an abnormal amount of liquids, and consequently urinating more frequently, is a warning sign your teen may be vaping.

What happens if a child stops asking for Coca Cola?

If your child stops asking for Coca-Cola on the grocery list, they may have taken up a more damaging substance. · ‘Vaper’s Tongue:’ When the mouth is dry, it loses some flavor perception. If your teen vapes, they may begin to look for increasingly spicier foods, or add more salt and other spices to their meals.

Can vaping cause acne?

Vaping e-juices come in nearly any flavor combination imaginable. And teens tend to prefer the sweeter stuff. · Skin: Nicotine ages the skin and slows wound healing. Increased facial blemishes – such as acne or red spots – that last longer than usual or have difficulty healing could be caused by vaping.

Is vape juice addictive?

Vape juice contains nicotine, and nicotine is addictive. Nicotine affects more than just the body. Addictive substances change the brain’s chemistry and can lead to some psychological or personality differences separate from typical teenage hormonal changes. Watch out for these signs.

Is vaping an X factor?

But for parents, vaping is both an X-factor and an all-too-familiar echo of the past. Toxins masked with sweet candy flavors and marketed as cool social props feels similar to the way tobacco cigarettes were sold for decades. Don’t assume that your teen wouldn’t vape or that you’d know if your teen was doing it.

How do you know if your child is vaping?

The vapors disrupt the immune system which can have harsh effects on human cells. Keep your eye on your child if they complain of sores in their mouth or begin to show signs of an unexplained cough. It could be a sign that your child is vaping.

What are the most common e-cigarettes for teens?

E-cigs come in many forms. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. However, the most common e-cigs among teens are JUULs – sleek devices that resemble a USB flash drive – and vape pens that resemble traditional pens.

What does it mean when a pen looks like a USB drive?

If you come across an unusual looking pen or USB drive, often with holes on each end, chances are it’s a vaping device and not a typical pen or USB drive.

How long does a vape pen battery last?

While some vape pens can be charged with a simple USB cable, most require batteries. And, since an e-cig vape pen battery typically only lasts two hours with constant use, the battery needs to be charged regularly. If you find an unfamiliar battery or battery charging device, this could serve as another red flag that your child may be vaping.

What is an atomizer in an e-cigarette?

The atomizer is an important part of any e-cig. It’s the component of the e-cig that turns the e-liquid into vapor. The atomizers don’t last forever and eventually need to be discarded. If you come across a discarded atomizer in your child’s room, it can be a good indication that your child has been vaping.

How many high school students use e-cigarettes?

According to the Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual National Tobacco Survey, 27.5 percent of high school students reported using an e-cigarette within the last 30 days, up from 20.8 percent in 2018. Originally designed to help people quit smoking cigarettes, e-cigs have turned into a national infatuation among teens ...

What is e-liquid flavored?

Although the vapor produced by e-cigarettes can be either odorless or scented, given the choice, most teenagers will choose the scented (or flavored) vapor. The e-liquid, also known as e-juice, available on the market for e-cigarettes comes in a variety of enticing flavors such as Gummi Bear, Berry Lush, Frozen Lime Drop, and Watermelon Wave that all too many teens are eager to try. If you notice a sweet scent that is unexplainable, it might require further investigation on your part.

How to tell if a teen is vaping?

What Parents Can Do About Teen Vaping 1 Watch for warning signs. Because e-cigarettes do not have an odor, it’s harder to tell when teens are using them. However, there are other signs to watch for, including bloodshot eyes, increased thirst, nosebleeds, and cough. 2 Ask open-ended questions. Avoid yes/no questions when talking with teens about vaping. Ask them what they’ve heard about vaping and what their peers think about it. Approach the conversation with caring and curiosity, not judgment. If a teen admits to vaping, react with compassion. 3 Let them know about the dangers. Make sure that teens understand the potential long-term consequences of vaping. 4 Set a good example. If parents don’t want their teens to vape or smoke, they shouldn’t do so either. Teens will have a hard time believing that vaping is dangerous if they see adults doing it. 5 Get them the help they need. If a teen wants to stop vaping, make sure they receive access to professional help for breaking the habit and dealing with the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal.

How to tell if a teenager is using an e-cigarette?

Watch for warning signs. Because e-cigarettes do not have an odor , it’s harder to tell when teens are using them. However, there are other signs to watch for, including bloodshot eyes, increased thirst, nosebleeds, and cough.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, or vapor, created by a vaping device. A vaping device includes a mouthpiece, a battery, a heating component, and a cartridge that contains the e-liquid or e-juice. The e-liquid is a combination of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Vaping devices can also be used to vaporize THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, by replacing e-liquids with cannabis-infused oils.

What are the chemicals in vape juice?

Along with nicotine, vaping liquids contain additives such as propylene glycol and glycerol. These toxic chemicals have been linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease. Scientists have also found that diacetyl, a chemical used to flavor some vape juice, may cause a condition called “popcorn lung,” the scarring and obstruction of the lungs’ smallest airways. In addition, a study found that some common chemicals used to flavor vape juice could damage endothelial cells. These are the cells that line blood vessels and lymph vessels.

What is the purpose of a vape battery?

The battery in a vaping device powers the heating component, which heats up the e-liquid , also known as vape juice . As a result, the device produces water vapor. Users inhale this vapor into their lungs.

How much has vaping increased in high school?

According to the most recent Monitoring the Future study, use of vaping nicotine has nearly doubled among high school seniors, increasing from 11 percent in 2017 to 20.9 percent in 2018. Vaping has also significantly increased among eighth and 10th graders.

What can parents do about vaping?

What Parents Can Do About Teen Vaping. Parents can take steps to help prevent their kids from vaping health risks. In particular, communication between parents and teens is key in supporting good choices and positive coping mechanisms. Here are some ways to protect teens from the dangers of vaping.