how to talk with teens about vaping

Be patient and ready to listen

• Avoid criticism and encourage an open dialogue.
• Remember, your goal is to have a meaningful conversation, not to give a lecture.
• Thank your teen for being honest with you if they tell you that they have tried vaping or vape regularly. Then offer to share some information about the risks of vaping, and discuss the benefits of being smoke- and vape-free.

Full Answer

How to talk with your son or daughter about vaping?

• Wait until the child is sober to have the talk.
• Understand that hostility won’t work. ...
• Have evidence or at least a firm understanding of the root of the concern because this will help to remove or chip away at the child’s denial tactics.
• Offer potential solutions, such as information on a rehab program that can provide professional help.

How much do you really know about kids and vaping?

Vaping puts nicotine into the body. Nicotine is highly addictive and can: slow brain development in kids and teens and affect memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention, and mood ; increase the risk of other types of addiction as adults; E-cigarettes also: irritate the lungs; may cause serious lung damage and even death

How to know if your kid is vaping marijuana?

Signs Your Child is Vaping and Next Steps to Take

• Moodiness. According to SmokeFree.gov nicotine and mood are inextricably linked. ...
• Irregular Periods. ...
• Increased Heart Rate / Restlessness. ...
• Shortness of Breath / Chest Pains. ...
• Acne / Skin Changes. ...
• Pneumonia. ...

How to help kids stop vaping?

• Know the facts.
• Get credible information about e-cigarettes and young people from sources such as the surgeon general’s office, the Truth Initiative, and Parents Against Vaping.
• Be patient and ready to listen.
• Avoid criticism and encourage an open dialogue.
• Remember, your goal is to have a conversation, not to deliver a lecture.

More items...

What to do if your kid tried vaping?

How to talk to your kids about bullying?

What if e-cigarettes were Romaine lettuce?

Do vape pens leave a smell on clothes?

Can a teen quit vaping?

Is vaping harmful to kids?

Who said "Don't smoke, don't smoke, don't smoke"?

See 4 more

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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 get my teenager to stop 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.

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.

How do you approach someone about vaping?

Invite them to ask questions about how they feel and what they think. Then be direct about what you expect. You could say, “I don't want you to use e-cigarettes because I'm concerned for your health.” Remember: keep the conversation non-judgmental and open.

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.

How do you break a vaping addiction?

Quitting vaping? Here are 5 tips for handling nicotine withdrawalExercise. Physical activity is a reliable way to crush a craving, according to Hays. ... Use a distraction. Cravings will pass, if you can give them a minute or two. ... Set up your environment for success. ... Find stress solutions. ... Celebrate your accomplishments.

What are 5 risks of vaping?

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

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 are good questions to ask about vaping?

Your questions about vaping, answeredWhat is vaping?When is vaping legal? Illegal?What is in e-liquids/vape juice?Is vaping ever safe?Does vaping always involve nicotine?Is vaping addictive?Are there any advantages of vaping compared to smoking traditional cigarettes?Does vaping help people quit smoking?More items...•

How many teens start vaping a day?

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.

How many teens start vaping every day?

More than 5,700 teens start vaping every day! Almost 40 percent of kids have vaped at least once, so chances are your teen has already tried it or soon will. Don't let marketing, peer pressure and misconceptions be the only messages your teen gets about vaping.

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.

Can you test your child 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 5 risks 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 you get caught vaping at school?

Your parents will be asked to come and meet with admin and take you home for the remainder of the day. For a first incident, you may have an in-school suspension for up to 3 days. A second incident of vaping may result in more severe consequences including suspension out of school.

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.

Talking with Your Teen About Vaping - Substance Abuse and Mental Health ...

It’s never too late to start talking with your teen about the risks of vaping. As teens age, they make more decisions on their own and face

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.”

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.

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.

How to talk to teens about vaping?

When talking to your teens about vaping, play it casual, Offutt recommends. “It’s not really a judgmental way to ask the question,” she says. “It’s more just, ‘I’ve read this, and I’m curious what you’ve heard about it.’ Or, ‘Do you know any kids that are using e-cigarettes?’ or ‘What do your classmates think about e-cigarettes?’ It’s a nice way to open that conversation.”

Why are young people vulnerable to vaping?

Young people are particularly vulnerable to using e-cigarettes and vaping devices and to their effects. The younger a person is when he or she tries nicotine, the greater the risk of addiction. The developing brain is more vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances than a fully developed adult brain.

What flavors are available in vaping?

Today, vaping products are available in fruit, candy and dessert flavors. By clicking an online button assuring they’re over 18, kids can order strawberry, peach, blueberry and coconut blends; doughnut and “Belgian waffle” flavors; and chocolate, cherry and cotton candy choices among countless others.

Can vaping devices be used as a replacement for cigarettes?

E-cigarettes and other vaping devices would be a preferred alternative to traditional cigarettes, when used exclusively as a replacement and only among smokers who have been unable to quit smoking using proven, medically approved methods. However, there is little conclusive evidence that they reliably reduce cigarette smoking or lead to smoking cessation.

Is vaping a social experience?

For kids, vaping may seem like a fun, harmless, social experience. 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.

Can kids smoke e-cigarettes?

It’s harder to detect if kids are using e-cigarettes than traditional smoking, Offutt says. “They won’t have smoke on their breath,” she says. “But they might have bloodshot eyes. Or they may show signs of nicotine withdrawal,” she adds, like the irritability adult cigarette smokers can experience. She’s posted sample pictures of vaping devices on her website. “So if parents see anything that looks like that and they’re not sure what it is, that could be a clue,” she says.

Is vaping FDA approved?

E-cigarettes and other vaping devices are not FDA approved.

Why do teens vape?

Compact vaporizers like Juuls, which look like flash drives, allow teenagers to easily conceal their e-cigarettes and take quick, discreet hits at home, in school hallways and even in class. And some teenagers may enjoy the stimulant quality of nicotine while trusting that they are swimming in the risk-taking shallows by forgoing harder drugs. Adolescents, by their nature, often seek ways to push the limits set by adults; vaping happens to offer a convenient vehicle for doing so.

What are some things that teens do that are unhealthy?

Adolescents (and adults) routinely do things they know to be unhealthy, such as speeding, skipping sunscreen and eating fast food. We should ensure that our teenagers are working with the facts about the potential dangers of vaping, having unprotected sex, using drugs and so on.

Is it safe to use e-cigarettes as a teenager?

To this end, we should allow that experimenting with conventional e-cigarettes is almost certainly less harmful than experimenting with illegal drugs, while also helping teenagers understand that using e-cigarettes is not without risks.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

Even when vaping doesn’t lead to smoking, parents have reason to be concerned about the impact of nicotine on the developing brain and the potential health risks associated with inhaling aerosolized flavoring chemicals. Vaping is generally understood to be less risk y than smoking. But not vaping is healthier than vaping.

Is vaping a carcinogen?

Even vaping solutions without nicotine sometimes contain compounds that may become toxic or even carcinogenic when vaporized. In addition, metal microparticles that are released by the e-cigarette’s heating coils can, according to Dr. Kalady, “put kids at risk for reactive airway disease, asthma and even emphysema.”.

How to help a teen stop vaping?

Try these techniques to help them stop: 1. Provide encouragement. Praise and reassurance from you and their peers will reinforce your child’s efforts. See if there’s a teen support group in your area or consider starting one. 2.

What is a Juul vape pen?

Tobacco industry experts are becoming savvier in their pursuit to sell more products, creating vape pens in different shapes and flavors, such as an easily concealed USB flash drive designed by the company, Juul. A study conducted in 2018 revealed that teens are 16 times more likely to use JUUL than older age groups.

Why is peer pressure important for teens?

It’s natural for teens to have a strong desire to fit in. Being able to handle peer pressure will help protect them from vaping and other harmful behavior.

How to help a child who is nicotine dependent?

However, if you suspect that your child may be nicotine dependent, your doctor can recommend effective treatment options. 3. Manage stress. Using nicotine at any age may be an attempt to cope with stress. Help your child find safer alternatives, such as physical exercise and talking about their concerns. 4.

Where can teens be found Juuling?

Teens are often found “JUULing” in classrooms and bathrooms at school. One standard JUUL cartridge delivers the equivalent nicotine of a pack of cigarettes, making it even more addictive, as well as increasing the risk of harm to brain development.

How many high school students use e-cigarettes?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20.8% of high school students reported in 2018 that they used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days compared to 1.5% in 2011.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

Remember that while vaping may be safer than smoking, it’s still associated with serious health risks, especially for adolescents. Talk with your children about vaping to help them make sound decisions about their future.

What are the factors that influence vaping?

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

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.

What is the American lung association doing to help schools?

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.

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.

What is the target of tobacco advertising?

Your child is the target of Big Tobacco advertising, devised to intentionally hook a young audience on nicotine, and make them customers for life. The same companies who funded and promoted cancer-causing cigarettes are the same ones behind many vape products like JUUL.

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.

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.

Who said "Don't smoke, don't smoke, don't smoke"?

Jacobs has had many conversations with parents of teen vapers in the course of building Truth Initiative's programs, and they tell her: "I really thought I had nicotine-proofed my kids, because I hammered home over and over again, 'Don't smoke, don't smoke, don't smoke.' And they're not smoking — but they're vaping."