how to help your teen with vaping

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.

What is the new vaping hotline?

New hotline helps teens quit vaping. To help teenagers quit vaping, Truth Initiative has come up with a first-of-its-kind program that offers support. Teens and young adults who text "QUITNOW" to 202-759-6436 will start receiving text messages offering assistance and guiding them to resources, Koval said. "We'll enroll you and send you ...

How many high school seniors have tried e-cigarettes?

Nearly two of every five high school seniors have tried e-cigarettes during the past year, according to a federal survey. About 37 percent of 12th graders said they'd vaped within the past 12 months, compared to about 28 percent in 2017.

Can you use nicotine patches over the counter?

Nicotine replacement therapy is a cornerstone for adults who want to quit smoking, but the gum and patches are not readily available to teenagers, she noted. "For adults, lozenges and patches are available over the counter, but not for those who are under 18," Koval said. Nicotine replacement therapy may not work for young vapers.

Does smoking cessation help vaping?

Smoking cessation programs might help, Richter suggested, but these also have not been tested when it comes to quitting vaping.

Can you use nicotine replacement for vaping?

It's possible the level of nicotine in the nicotine replacement [ products] are not high enough for people who are vaping.". Some adults also use antidepressants to help them quit smoking, but these medications are worrisome for teenagers, she added. "There are concerns about giving antidepressants to kids," Richter said.

Does nicotine replacement work for vapers?

Nicotine replacement therapy may not work for young vapers. A doctor can prescribe nicotine replacement therapy off-label for teens hooked on nicotine, Richter said, "but there isn't strong evidence they're particularly effective for kids.

Is vaping a habit for teens?

31, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- E-cigarette use is surging among American teenagers, with millions of kids flirting with nicotine addiction by regularly vaping. Unfortunately, these kids are going to face a rocky road if they try to kick their nicotine habit, experts say. There are no tested or approved methods for quitting ...

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.

Kids and Smoking

There are many reasons that kids pick up tobacco products and start using nicotine, and some of them may surprise you. Find out how to talk to your teens about avoiding smoking, and what to do if they need to quit. Learn more about youth smoking.

INDEPTH

The American Lung Association's Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health (INDEPTH) is an alternative for students who face suspension for violation of school tobacco, vaping, or nicotine use policies.

Local Youth Tobacco Initiatives

Across the country, teens are gathering to keep their own communities' tobacco-free. These youth leaders are working to educate their peers about the dangers of nicotine and tobacco addiction. Contact your local American Lung Association office for information on youth leadership groups and other youth tobacco initiatives near you.

How to help a teenager who is vaping?

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help redirect thoughts when cravings hit. Talk therapy can address underlying anxiety or depression, which may be related to the reason the teen is vaping or have been triggered by quitting. Other activities can calm an agitated mind in withdrawal, especially yoga, meditation and sports.

Why do teens vape?

Many forces bore down to compel your child to vape, including social media, peer pressure and the easy accessibility of flavored products. It is really hard for any teenager to step away from those omnipresent enticements.

What is the ingredient in vaping liquid?

But the chief worry is over the ingredient commonly found in vaping liquids: nicotine. Nicotine is the addictive chemical that chains both cigarette smokers and vapers, compelling them to repeated use. Its grip is tough to break. Teenagers, whose brains are still developing, are particularly susceptible. Parents and educators are discovering that, ...

How many middle schoolers use e-cigarettes?

Credit... Vaping is surging among American adolescents. According to one national survey, 3.6 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2018.

What to do when your child struggles to break free?

As your child struggles to break free, make sure they know you’re not the enemy, but a steadfast ally.

What can calm an agitated mind?

Other activities can calm an agitated mind in withdrawal, especially yoga, meditation and sports. A teenager can renew acquaintance with a passionate interest or hobby that might have fallen away.

Is vaping harmful to teens?

While adolescents are canny enough to hide their Juuls from you, they don’t really believe that vaping is harmful.

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.

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 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).

How to help a child who is vaping?

Ask your child what they know about vaping and whether it’s happening at school. Help them think through how they’ll respond if they’re pressured to use e-cigarettes, says Megan Jacobs, managing director of product innovation at Truth Initiative, who also spoke to NPR. And if you learn that your child is vaping, don’t try to punish or shame them, Koval said. It won’t work. Vaping can affect young people’s moods and impulse control, and it’s possible your child is already addicted to nicotine.

How many people will quit vaping in 2020?

Already in 2020, more than 90,000 youth and young adults have enrolled. The program — created with input from teens, college students and young adults who have tried to, or successfully, quit e-cigarettes — gives young people a free, confidential and anonymous way to access behavioral support to quit vaping.

What is Juul flavored e-cigarette?

E-cigarette flavors like mint, mango and cotton candy especially appeal to young people. In fact, 97% of all youth who vape use flavored cigarettes.

How many parents know about Juul?

Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the study surveyed 2,885 parents of high school and middle school students from October to November 2018, about one month following the acknowledgement of a youth e-cigarette use epidemic by the Food and Drug Administration. Fewer than half — 44.2% — of parents could identify a picture of JUUL as a type of e-cigarette. More than one-third — 35.1% — couldn’t recognize the device at all.

How much did Juul spend on the internet?

JUUL also spent more than $1 million to market the product on the internet, and funded summer camps, visited schools and paid community and church groups to distribute their materials, according to documents and testimony from congressional hearings about JUUL’s role in the youth e-cigarette epidemic.

How many high schoolers vaped in 2019?

More than 1 in 4 (27.5%) high schoolers vaped in 2019, a 32% increase from the previous year. 52.9%. More than half of middle and high schoolers who used e-cigarettes said they had tried to quit.

Is Juul a vape?

JUUL, which may look like a harmless device, is only one example of the vaping industry’s efforts to target youth. E-cigarette flavors like mint, mango and cotton candy especially appeal to young people. In fact, 97% of all youth who vape use flavored cigarettes. JUUL also spent more than $1 million to market the product on the internet, and funded summer camps, visited schools and paid community and church groups to distribute their materials, according to documents and testimony from congressional hearings about JUUL’s role in the youth e-cigarette epidemic.

What is vaping and why is it bad for teens?

Vaping involves using a small device to heat a liquid. The heated liquid produces an aerosol, which is inhaled. The liquid usually contains nicotine and flavoring, which gives off a sweet smell.

How many teens don't know about vaping?

Remember, almost 66% of teens don’t realize that vaping involves nicotine. or if they do know it, they don’t understand the dangers of it. So your mission is toeducate your teenager and help them see the dangers of vaping. Fortunately, there areplenty of resources available to you.

What does vaping tongue mean?

Vaper’s Tongue. This is a term used to describe the loss of taste sensation that many teens who vape will experience. Your teen may complain that foods taste bland or start adding extra seasonings and spices to their meals.

How to get a vape out of your lungs?

Start by scheduling an appointment with your child’s doctor. They can give your teen a check-up to make sure their lungs have not been damaged as well as give them further information about vaping and the risks involved. Next, the two of you should call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or check outteen.smokefree.gov.

Why do teens get jittery when vaping?

Passing on caffeine.The effects of nicotine may make your teen jittery. Teens who normally rely on coffee or soda might start skipping it. Irritability. Nicotine affects brain chemistry, so your teen might get agitated more easily if they are vaping.

What are some examples of vaping devices?

Vaping involves heating up a liquid and there are some basic parts to most vaping devices. Some common things you might see include parts that look like USB drives, pens, unfamiliar chargers or batteries, cotton balls and metallic wires.

How do you know if you're smoking?

If you are looking for the classic signs of smoking, like a lingering odor on clothes or yellowed teeth or fingers, you won’t find them .The signs of vaping are more subtle, which is why it is important to be aware of them. Electronic cigarettes debuted in 2008, but in recent years, they have become much more popular with teenagers.