how to handle your teenager vaping

Here are some practical methods to discipline your teen and get teenagers to stop vaping:

• Communicate — Talk with them sincerely. ...
• Improve your parent-child relationship — Some teenage behaviors are caused by issues that they have difficulty talking about. ...
• Bribe them, if necessary — If your teen loves receiving gifts, you may offer them rewards for choosing to minimize or quit the use of e-cigarettes. ...

Full Answer

How to help your teenager stop smoking cigarettes?

Teen smoking: 10 ways to keep teens smoke-free

1. Set a good example. Teen smoking is more common among teens whose parents smoke. ...
2. Understand the attraction. Teen smoking can be a form of rebellion or a way to fit in with a particular group of friends. ...
3. Say no. ...
4. Think beyond cigarettes. ...
5. Appeal to your teen's vanity. ...
6. Do the math. ...
7. Expect peer pressure. ...
8. Take addiction seriously. ...
9. Consider the future. ...
10. Get involved. ...

How to help your teen avoid drugs?

Some preventative measures include:

• Open communication. Talk to your teen about taking drugs and what effects they can have. ...
• Text your teen. ...
• Get involved in their life. ...
• Know where your teen is and what they’re doing. ...
• Set clear rules and enforce them fairly. ...
• Set a good example for your teen. ...
• Teach your teen how to refuse drugs and alcohol. ...
• Make your home safe. ...

Why vaping is dangerous for teens?

Vaping increases the risk of teens developing an addiction to nicotine. Vaping exposes children and teens to harmful metals and toxic chemicals found in e-cigarettes. A mysterious, vaping-related illness is on the rise: e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).

How to keep tweens from vaping?

How to Keep Tweens From Vaping

• Preview challenging social situations. Parents can help tweens resist pressure to vape “the same way vaccines prepare our bodies to resist future viruses,” says Josh Compton, an associate professor of ...
• Help tweens formulate a plan. ...
• Encourage kids to take comparatively safe risks. ...
• Set the stage for good decision-making. ...
• Provide good information. ...

Why is vaping easier to hide?

Do e-cigarettes contain nicotine?

Is vaping a teen epidemic?

Is nicotine addictive?

Is parenting a teenager fun?

Can parents stop vaping?

Is Juuling bad for teens?

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How do I talk to my teenage daughter about vaping?

Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents. ... Know the facts. ... Be patient and ready to listen. ... not to deliver a lecture. ... Set a positive example by being tobacco-free. ... Find the right moment. ... Ask for support. ... coaches, or counselors whom you know are aware of the risks of e-cigarettes.More items...

Is it hard for teens to quit vaping?

E-cigarettes are closely associated with tobacco cigarettes and for obvious reasons: Both are popular among teens, both contain highly addictive nicotine, and both can ruin health and potentially the brain development of adolescents.

Is vaping normal for a 15 year old?

About 1 in 5 high school students vape, exposing them to nicotine, a highly addictive substance found in tobacco. Adults may use vaping to quit a nicotine addiction, but youth often start with vaping and graduate to cigarettes later. Vaping is likely to keep young people hooked for years.

What does vaping do to a 16 year old?

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.

What is a good punishment for vaping?

Most kids use vape pens because they cannot be easily recognized as e-cigarettes. Common punishments include community service, one-week suspension for first or second offenses, and even expulsion for repeated behavior.

What are the 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...•

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.

What do you do if 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.

Is vaping worse than smoking?

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.

What percentage of teenagers vape?

2022 Findings on Youth E-Cigarette Use 14.1% (2.14 million) of high school students and 3.3% (380,000) of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use.

What age group is vaping the most?

Teens and young adults. Gallup says that 20% of people age 18 to 29 vape, compared to 9% of people age 30 to 49, 7% of people age 50 to 64, and less than 0.5% of people older than 65. And, according to the Truth Initiative, 15- to 17-year-olds are 16 times more likely to vape than 25- to 34-year-olds.

How can you tell if your house is vaping?

“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.

How hard is it to quit vaping?

Quitting vaping can be difficult because of nicotine addiction, and one of the biggest hurdles is managing nicotine withdrawal. The first day may be the most difficult. If you can set a routine and follow it for the rest of your effort to quit, you may see a greater chance of success.

How many teens are trying to quit vaping?

Their findings are worrisome, health advocates say. The percentage of students who reported unsuccessfully trying to quit either e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes, roughly 6 percent, was considerably higher than the prevalence of unsuccessful attempts to quit cigarettes alone in each of the previous 13 years.

Why is it so hard for people to quit vaping?

Nicotine Addiction Nicotine is very addictive. The more you vape, the more your brain and body get used to having nicotine, and the harder it is to go without it. When you go without vaping, the nicotine level in your bloodstream drops, which may cause unpleasant feelings, physical symptoms, and strong urges to vape.

Is it harder to quit smoking or vaping?

Many people are under the misconception that the techniques for how to quit vaping are easier than those to stop smoking cigarettes. But that's simply not true, as quitting vaping can sometimes be harder than quitting smoking cigarettes.

What Works to Help Teens Quit Vaping? - WebMD

Teens addicted to vaping must rely on methods that have been shown to help tobacco quitters, but it's not clear that those methods will be useful when it comes to e-cigarettes.

A Guide to Teen Vaping - Sunshine Behavioral Health

yalemedicine.org – Teen Vaping Linked to More Health Risks; merckmanuals.com – Commentary: Is Vaping Safer than Smoking? 5 Facts About Vaping; casaa.org – History of Vaping: Historical Timeline of Electronic Cigarettes; pediatrics.aappublications.org – Trends in Smoking Behaviors Among US Adolescent Cigarette Smokers; nejm.org – Pulmonary Illness Related to E-Cigarette Use in ...

How do I stop vaping?

There is not yet one tried and true "answer" for how to stop vaping , but with good family discussion and support, you and your teen can find out together the best answer for them. Here are some resources I recommend to educate yourself on vaping and prevention:

Do teens want to talk to their parents about vaping?

Teens also want their parents to be approachable for a conversation about vaping. "If kids do decide to experiment with vaping, they should be made to feel comfortable talking to and getting information about the topic from their parents," says Morgan Patsy, 17, from St. Paul, MN.

Is vaping a trend?

Vaping is a recent trend in youth experimentation, and the dangers are becoming more evident. Parents.com's 'Ask Your Mom' advice columnist Emily Edlynn, Ph.D., explains the ways to deal if your teen is vaping that will make it more likely for them to actually stop. By Emily Edlynn, Ph.D. November 15, 2019.

What to do if parents find something?

If parents do find something, they can be supportive by asking how they can help, Dr. Camenga says.

How do peers influence kids?

Peers can have lots of influence over activities. “Instead of hanging out with the kids that they vape with, perhaps there are other activities they could be participating in,” says Krishnan-Sarin. “Encourage your kids to participate in healthy activities like clubs or sports teams.”

Does Juul have nicotine?

In fact, the vaping liquid in Juul’s pods contains surprisingly high levels of nicotine. Though a 5% nicotine by weight pod contains less than an eyedropper-full of liquid, it delivers the same amount of nicotine as a person would get by smoking an entire pack of regular cigarettes.

Can parents talk about vaping?

If possible, parents can offer their own stories about vaping, especially if they currently do it. Parents can talk about the vaping they’ve seen. The conversation can also speak directly to peer pressure. All parents have situations they remember in which they were pressured to do something, like try a substance or cheat on a test. Sharing these stories can help make teens more comfortable and willing to open up about theirs, says Lebowitz.

Does nicotine affect concentration?

Not only can nicotine cause physical changes in the brain, leading to difficulty concentrating, these changes can be permanent. Parents can look up resources through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General .

Can parents be ready for a conversation?

With a little preparation, parents can be ready, no matter who starts the conversation.

Does Juul pod contain nicotine?

Careful to avoid “lecture mode,” Dahl recalls that she gently pointed out that the classmates were spreading myths. All pods sold by Juul contain nicotine. She kept the conversation going by asking the boys what they thought about vaping. Dahl says that getting teens to understand the contents, both known and unknown, in vaping liquid has been one of the most challenging parts of her job.

What to do if your kid tried vaping?

Teach, don't preach. If you do find out that your kid has tried vaping, resist the temptation to read them the riot act. "You're not going to punish, yell, or shame your kid out of vaping," Koval says. Megan Jacobs, managing director of product innovation at Truth Initiative, agrees.

How to talk to your kids about bullying?

Instead of wagging the finger, invite your kids to ask questions — and ask them questions of your own, to find what what kind of pressure they're experiencing. Koval says this can be a jumping off point for a good conversation. "Ask,don't tell. 'Is Juuling really popular in your school? How are you feeling about it?' Parents need to understand how much bullying is going on, how much peer pressure is going on."

What if e-cigarettes were Romaine lettuce?

If E-Cigs Were Romaine Lettuce, They'd Be Off The Shelf, Vaper's Mom Tells Congress. Dr. Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, a psychiatrist at Yale University, who specializes in teenage substance abuse, says when it comes to some ingredients, "we don't really know the long term effect on your health.".

Do vape pens leave a smell on clothes?

Vape pens are easy to conceal, they're easy to confuse with other electronic gadgets like USB flash drives, and they generally don't leave lingering smells on clothes. All these things make them appealing to underage users, and confounding to parents. Gone are the days when sniffing a teenager's jacket or gym bag counted as passive drug screening. Now if parents want to know if their teens are vaping nicotine or cannabis, their best bet is a good old fashioned conversation.

Can a teen quit vaping?

If your teen vapes, Krishnan-Sarin says to take it as seriously as any other addiction, and be aware of how hard it is to quit. "Some kids may experience the physiological and psychological symptoms of withdrawal, and might need pharmacological support like nicotine replacement therapy." For teen-specific social support, Truth Initiative developed This Is Quitting — a vaping cessation program for young people. To join, text "DITCHJUUL" to 88709.

Is vaping harmful to kids?

Elsa Pearson, a policy analyst at Boston University, says that among this generation, smoking is "a complete faux pas" but vaping is seen as benign — and cool. "Kids don't see [vaping] as harmful — they see it as very different from smoking cigarettes," Pearson says.

Is vaping dangerous for teens?

Vaping has become ever-present among teens, but the health risks are real. How do you talk to your kids about vaping?

How to react when a parent discovers their child is vaping?

Getty Images. Experts advise parents who discover their teen is vaping to react in a calm and measured manner. Ask questions and listen to the answers they give.

How many people vape in school?

He says his clients report that, “at any given time between classes, there can be 15 to 20 people vaping in the school bathroom.”

What is the most important thing Jenssen and Mopper discuss?

One of the most important things both Jenssen and Mopper discuss is avoiding a situation where you might catch your teenager vaping before being aware it’s something they’ve tried.

What is Smokefree Teen?

Smokefree Teen is another resource with apps and texting options teens can access at any time.

What to do if your teenager is addicted to nicotine?

If your teenager has a nicotine addiction, your first step should be consulting with their pediatrician or your family doctor. They can help you determine how serious the addiction is and what options might be available for helping your teenager quit.

Why is it important for teens to push back against their parents?

“As kids turn to teens, it’s natural for them to push back against their parents to assert their independence and to turn to their peers for support and guidance instead,” Mopper said.

How many high school seniors have vaped?

In December 2018, the National Institute on Drug Abuse released a report detailing a “dramatic increase” in the use of vaping devices by teenagers, stating that 37.3 percent of high school seniors had vaped within the previous year.

How to approach a teen who is vaping?

The best and most effective way to approach teens vaping is not to be confrontational. Calmly approach them and speak to them in a regular voice. Do not yell at them or strike them. Doing this will put the child on the defensive and make them more confrontational.

How to educate teens about vaping?

How to Educate Teens on Vaping. The best way to educate teens about vaping is to tell them about the risks associated with it. Some teenagers do not know that vaping could cause damage to their health, so making them aware of this fact could convince them to quit.

Why Are So Many Teens Vaping?

There are many reasons why vaping is on the rise among teenagers. A lot of teens like vaping because they are attracted to the high tech look and feel of the vapes.

How many cigarettes are in a Juul pod?

In fact, the amount of nicotine in some Juul pods can be the equivalent of 20 cigarettes. A nicotine addiction could also result in vaping teens using tobacco. In 2018, the National Academy of Medicine reported that vaping could increase the chances of someone starting smoking.

What is the CDC recommendation for vaping?

The first thing they say is that parents should be tobacco and vape free themselves. Choosing not to smoke or vape will set a good example.

What happens if you spot a student vaping?

Failure to do so is a violation of many school policies, and ignoring vaping could result in being fired.

How do teens overcome nicotine addiction?

Teenagers can overcome their addictions to nicotine through willpower and assistance from supportive family and friends.

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.

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.

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.

How many deaths from vaping?

Most recently, a vaping-related health crisis has resulted in hundreds of respiratory illnesses across the United States and at least six deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

What can a parent do in the face of a problem?

As your question illustrates, sometimes the only thing a parent can do in the face of a problem is to stay calm and continue to be "user-friendly," as in always loving and always approachable.

Is smoking tobacco bad for you?

Undoubtedly, some folks are apoplectic already because they think nicotine causes various cancers, most notably lung cancer, but — and again, this is a fact — smoking tobacco is bad because tobacco tars become car cinogenic when burned and inhaled. Nicotine does not cause lung cancer.

Does nicotine affect cognitive function?

peer-reviewed research has discovered that nicotine has positive effects on cognitive functioning and appears to be a "brain vitamin" of sorts. For example, nicotine use is associated with lower rates of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other forms of neurological degeneration.

Is there a nicotine cartel?

Drive-by shootings are not associated with nicotine addiction. There's no South American nicotine cartel. As addictions go, it's relatively benign.

Why is vaping easier to hide?

Vaping is easier to hide because it doesn’t leave a telltale odor of traditional cigarettes or visible secondhand emissions, says Steven Schroeder, M.D., director of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at the University of California San Francisco.

Do e-cigarettes contain nicotine?

She was right to be concerned. “Almost all e-cigarettes contain nicotine, even those that claim they don’t, because there’s no FDA oversight of the manufacturing,” says Jennifer Hobbs Folkenroth, national senior director, tobacco control at American Lung Association.

Is vaping a teen epidemic?

Using e-cigarettes (vaping) is now a teen epidemic. Between 2017 and 2018, e-cigarette use among middle schoolers increased by 48 percent and among high schoolers by 78 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. More than a quarter of all high school students are frequent e-cigarette users.

Is nicotine addictive?

Nicotine is highly addictive; it’s what gets users hooked, Folkenroth says. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm a teen’s developing brain. The inhaled aerosol also contains other potentially harmful chemicals, such as acrolein and diacetyl, both of which have been linked to serious lung damage.

Is parenting a teenager fun?

Parenting teens can be lonely, hilarious, frustrating, and fun. No matter where you are, we're here for you.

Can parents stop vaping?

Parents can feel lost and even a little desperate when it comes to stopping vaping. But the American Lung Association cautions against this kind of screening. Instead they favor education, consistent parent-teen communication, positive support, and parents connecting teens with intervention or cessation programs.

Is Juuling bad for teens?

Be prepared to hear that JUULing isn ’t a big deal. “Many teens know cigarettes are bad for you but think vaping is inconsequential ,” Dr. Schroeder says. Many teens don’t realize, for example, that all JUUL pods contain nicotine—as much as a pack of cigarettes.