how to talk to my kid about vaping

How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping

• Arm Yourself With Relevant Info Only 2 in 5 parents are confident that they can influence their child not to vape, according to the Ad Council and C+R Research. ...
• Focus on Short- and Long-Term Health Risks ...
• Be Mindful of Your Child's Stress ...
• Strive to Be Empathic and Calm ...
• Practice—Then, Keep the Convo Going ...
• Be Positive ...

Full Answer

How can I talk to my teen about vaping?

“That involves talking and listening, trying to create an environment where a teenager can feel like they can go to their parent for help,” Jenssen said. He advises parents to ask questions long before the subject of vaping might ever come up, and to really listen to their teen’s answers.

What happens when parents discover their child is vaping?

However, with the latest influx of e-cigarette related lung conditions and the reported deaths of 34 people in 24 states, it isn’t difficult to see why many parents would be upset if they discovered their child was vaping. Nevertheless, how a parent reacts when they discover their child is vaping can have a huge impact on their behavior.

How can I help my child stop vaping?

The American Lung Association is also helping schools address the youth vaping epidemic with the Vape-Free Schools Initiative, which equips schools with resources and support for kids who are caught vaping on campus, and those that want to stop. Share the initiative with your child’s administrators and teachers.

What questions should I ask my friends about vaping?

I’m here to help answer any questions you have about vaping. Hear their side of the story first. It’s good to know what they find appealing or unappealing about it. If they’re interested in trying it, ask why. Ask them open-ended questions rather than yes or no questions. This will help them open up, be engaged and be less defensive.

How do I confront my child about 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 age to talk to kids about vaping?

More than 60 percent of them don't even realize vape products contain nicotine. “If you wait until your kid is 13 to start talking about this stuff, that may be too late,” she says.

What to say to a teenager about vaping?

Here are seven suggestions for how you could start talking with your teen about vaping.Look for a natural conversation starter. ... Explain that most e-cigarettes do contain nicotine. ... Point out the dangers of vaping without judgment and let them know you're concerned about their health. ... Remind them that not everyone vapes.More items...

How do I stop my youth from vaping?

Here are some of the most effective ways you can steer your kids away from tobacco:Maintain a dialogue. Start early — begin talking with your kids about smoking and vaping in kindergarten. ... Think more than cigarettes. ... Prepare your kids for peer pressure. ... Set a good example. ... Establish a smoke-free 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.

Is it OK for a 13 year old to vape?

A: The federal minimum age to purchase e-cigarette products is 18, but the laws vary by state – 49 states have set a minimum age that is older than 18. Unfortunately, the majority of underage vaping users are still getting the products from local gas stations or areas in their community that sell the products.

What do you do if your child is addicted to vaping?

You might want to talk to a health care provider who can suggest effective nicotine cessation programs that help teens kick the habit.Vaping has become an epidemic. ... Ask questions. ... Be patient. ... Help them remove temptation. ... Encourage them to have a plan. ... Point them toward more help.

What parents should know about vaping?

E-cigarettes contain a lot of nicotine, which is very addictive. Getting addicted to nicotine can make it harder for teenagers to focus and concentrate. E-cigarettes also contain chemicals that could cause cancer, and there are many reports of serious lung problems connected to vaping.

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.

What age group is most likely to vape?

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 do you convince someone to stop vaping?

What to DoCall the Maine QuitLink. As a friend or family member of a smoker or vaper, you can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to get information and tips on how to help others quit smoking or vaping.Offer lots of encouragement. ... Give practical help. ... Help keep busy. ... Have patience. ... Offer to help.

What is a good substitute for vaping?

Nicotine replacement therapy — nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, sprays, and inhalers — can help some people. These products provide nicotine at a consistent dose, so you avoid the nicotine rush you get from vaping while still getting relief from withdrawal symptoms.

Why do kids start vaping?

Young people start smoking or vaping for a variety of reasons; peer pressure, the belief that it relieves stress or looks cool, to lose or control weight, easy access, and role models or family members who use tobacco.

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.

What parents need to know about vaping?

becoming a smoker: Young people who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future. impotence: There is some evidence that vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men. sleep problems. exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

How do I talk to my teenager about smoking?

If you catch your teen smoking or vaping, avoid threats and ultimatums. Ask a few questions and find out why your child is smoking or vaping; they may want to be accepted by a peer group or want your attention. Talk about what changes can be made in your teen's life to help them stop smoking.

What to ask a child who has tried vaping?

If your child has already tried vaping, it helps to understand why. Consider asking questions like: “What do you enjoy about vaping?” or “How does vaping make you feel?” Answers to these questions highlight your child’s needs that can be addressed in a healthier way. It is also important to challenge children on their perceptions of norms. Teens tend to overestimate how many of their peers vape and research shows that such overestimations increase the risk that they will vape to ‘be normal’ or just like their peers.

How to make your child not vape?

Set clear expectations. Share why you do not want your child to vape and indicate that you expect your child not to vape. If you choose to set consequences, be sure to follow through, and make sure that these consequences are not overly harsh, punitive or long-lasting.

How to get people to think about vaping?

Try using open-ended questions to get the conversation going, such as, “What do you think about vaping?” In these conversations, get their perspectives, acknowledge the potential appeal of vaping and help them weigh the risks against the perceived benefits. When answering their questions or comments, offer honest, accurate, science-based information rather than trying to scare them. Finally, try to have these conversations frequently, calmly and, if you can, before they try vaping.

Why do kids vape?

Most kids start vaping due to curiosity, because friends and family vape, the appealing flavors, to do vape tricks, or because they think it’s cool or want to fit in. Over time, vaping can become habit-forming as kids use it to address other needs such as relief from boredom and anxiety.

How to talk to your kids about vaping?

Cidambi recommends taking direct steps such as making sure your family sits down for at least one meal together a day and using that time to talk about vaping. Ask your children what they know about it, whether they’ve seen kids doing it and what questions they have. Parents are often surprised, she said, by how curious their children are about substances and how open they can be to such conversations.

Why is it important to talk to your kids early?

It’s important to start having these conversations early because kids try substances at startlingly young ages. In a 2013 survey, about 5.4 million youth ages 12 to 20 reported binge drinking in the past month. If you wait to talk to your children when they’re in middle school, you might be too late.

Is vaping dangerous for kids?

While it’s unclear which specific chemicals in e-cigarettes are causing these illnesses and deaths, it is clear that American children are at risk. About 16% of the patients with lung injuries have been under age 18. The U.S. Surgeon General has called teen vaping an epidemic, and the secretary of Health and Human Services warned that the government has never before seen such a rapid uptick in the use of a substance by kids.

Is vaping a new product?

Because vaping is relatively new (e-cigarettes really only hit the market in the United States about a decade ago), many parents don’t have a lot of information. Given that they were originally sold as a way of kicking the tobacco habit, people who didn’t smoke may have paid the product little attention. Now, public perception is shifting. More people recognize the potential harms of vaping — but there is still a lot of confusion.

Can parents keep kids away from e-cigarettes?

Some parents might think that fear and punishment are their best tools when it comes to keeping kiddos away from e-cigarettes, but experts believe that’s not the case. “I think the most important thing is to have an open, ongoing conversation,” said Dr. Indra Cidambi, medical director of the Center for Network Therapy, an outpatient detoxification program in New Jersey.

Is it important to work with kids on how they respond when they inevitably come face-to-face with?

This might be a new one to parents raised in the era of “ Just Say No ” (which was a pretty resounding failure, for what it’s worth), but experts say it is important to work with kids on how they’ll respond when they inevitably come face-to-face with e-cigarettes or other substances.

Is vaping bad for you?

Before you start any conversation, make sure you know some basics: Yes, vaping is bad for your health. And yes, it is addictive. If your child asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, admit that and then spend some time together looking it up.

Can parents talk about vaping?

Saying things that are not truthful is never helpful in any type of conversation, so that is why parents need to make sure they do a lot of research on vaping before they talk to their kids about it. Little ones need to be able to know that they can always go to their parents for information that is truthful and reliable.

Is vaping good for kids?

Kids are not just concerned about their health, so parents also need to inform them about the other reasons why vaping is not a good idea. If the e-juice that is in one of those devices has a bad smell, it could make them have bad breath, which is something no teenager wants to have, especially when they are hanging out with their friends.

What are the factors that influence vaping?

One of the largest motivating factors of youth vaping is influence from friends or classmates.

How to talk to a child about a lecture?

As you talk to your child, avoid judgment or frustration. Kids may pick up on your tone and tune out or react defensively. An open conversation will disarm the notion that this is a lecture.

How to reintroduce a conversation topic?

Make sure to leave lines of communication open. Fact sharing is a great way to reintroduce the conversation topic.

How to help a student who is defensive?

Ask them open-ended questions rather than yes or no questions. This will help them open up, be engaged and be less defensive.

How to help a child with stress?

Unfortunately, stress is universal and can be experienced at a young age. Talk to your kid about any larger concerns or pressures they may be feeling. Make sure they have healthy outlets for relief.

Does vaping hurt your lungs?

You know that vaping can damage your lungs, making it harder to play sports you love like [example]. Are you sure you want to risk something you love?

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 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.

Why does the author suggest talking to teens about how the makers of tobacco products are trying to manipulate them?

Instead of harping on the dangers of smoking, he suggests talking to teens about how the makers of tobacco products are trying to manipulate them — because no teenager wants to believe they could be easily manipulated.

What to do if your child is vaping?

"But hear their side of the story. If your child does express an interest in vaping, ask why from a non-judgmental place." She urges parents to put themselves in their child's shoes, as empathy can fuel strong, effective communication.

How many kids vape?

Did you know more than 5 million kids vape? It's such a problem the U.S. Surgeon General is calling youth vaping an epidemic. That's why it's important for parents to start a vaping conversation. Here's how.

What percentage of middle schoolers vape in 2019?

The reason: Given that research published in the Journal of he American Medical Association found more than 10.5 percent of middle schoolers vaped in 2019, the ALA wants to empower parents of tweens and young teens to have conversations that can prevent their kids from picking up the habit.

Why do kids use e-cigarettes?

Kids might be reaching for an e-cigarette to manage stress and anxiety , points out Dr. Garfield. If that's the case, parents should ensure they have healthy outlets and resources for managing these feelings.

Is vaping bad for kids?

To that end, he advises parents to discourage their child from being Big Tobacco's "guinea pig.". And always be specific. Dr. Garfield says parents should give details about the dangers of vaping, which will be more effective than using a sweeping statement, such as, "Vaping is bad for your health.".

Can e-cigarettes cause asthma?

Two: Toxins in e-cigarettes could cause asthma and bronchitis and worsen symptoms should you catch COVID-19 or any respiratory illness. "Talk to them about immediate and long-term health risks," he suggests. "We don't know what these toxins will do to the lungs in 10, 20 years.

Can vaping cause a child to lose attention?

At the same time, parents should steer clear of scare tactics and making dramatic claims—like equating vaping with illegal drugs—which could result in losing a child's attention. "This reduces your credibility and chances of connecting with them," says Dr. Garfield.