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 help your teenager stop smoking cigarettes?
Teen smoking: 10 ways to keep teens smoke-free
- Set a good example. Teen smoking is more common among teens whose parents smoke. ...
- Understand the attraction. Teen smoking can be a form of rebellion or a way to fit in with a particular group of friends. ...
- Say no. ...
- Think beyond cigarettes. ...
- Appeal to your teen's vanity. ...
- Do the math. ...
- Expect peer pressure. ...
- Take addiction seriously. ...
- Consider the future. ...
- 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. ...
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.
What to say to your kids about vaping?
Tell them why they should care. Over time, the chemicals in e-cigarettes will affect your attention span, memory and lungs. Once you're addicted, vaping will be the boss of you. Even when you don't want to do it, you'll have to do it.
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 can teenagers do to avoid smoking?
Offer sugarless gum, hard candy, celery or carrot sticks to keep his or her mouth busy. Consider stop-smoking products. Although nicotine replacement products — such as nicotine gums, patches, inhalers or nasal sprays — weren't designed for teens, they might be helpful in some cases.
How do you convince someone to stop vaping?
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. Let him or her know that you're proud of their effort. Instead of offering advice, ask how you can help.
How do you talk to students about vaping?
Tips from teachers: how to talk to your kids about vapingFind the time to talk. The sooner you start talking, the better. ... Be direct. Say, “I don't want you to use e-cigarettes.” Tell them your reasons. ... Talk about the real facts. ... Focus on the social issues. ... Teach them to say no. ... More resources:
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.
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 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 are 10 risks of vaping?
Serious & Potentially Long-Term Effects of VapingNicotine addiction.Severe lung injury.Seizures.Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), formerly known as idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP)Popcorn lung.Strokes.Heart attacks.
What are 5 facts about vaping?
10 Things You Need to Know About the Vaping EpidemicE-Cigarettes Contain Nicotine. ... Vapes Contain Other Harmful Chemicals. ... E-cigarettes are not Safe Just Because They are a Water Vapor. ... Young Adults are More Likely to Vape. ... Vaping is Addictive. ... Vaping Could be a Gateway Drug. ... Vaping Causes Heart and Lung Issues.More items...
Why do teenagers 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.
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.
How long does it take to not be addicted to vaping?
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms set in between 4 and 24 hours after a person last vaped. The symptoms peak around day three of abstinence and then gradually subside over the following three to four weeks.
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 do you know if you're going to quit vaping?
feeling tired, cranky, angry, or depressed. trouble concentrating. trouble sleeping. hunger. restlessness. The signs of withdrawal are strongest in the first few days after stopping. They get better over the following days and weeks. Get ready for feelings, people, and places that make you want to vape.
What Are the Health Effects of Vaping?
Vaping hasn't been around long enough for us to know how it affects the body over time. But health experts are reporting serious lung damage in people who vape, including some deaths.
How Do E-Cigarettes Work?
There are different kinds of e-cigarettes. But many people use the Juul. This e-cigarette looks like a flash drive and can be charged in a laptop's USB port. It makes less smoke than other e-cigarettes, so some teens use them to vape at home and in school. The Juul pod's nicotine levels are the same as in a full pack of cigarettes.
What About E-cigarettes That Don't Have Nicotine?
Most e-cigarettes do have nicotine. Even those that don't do have chemicals in them. These chemicals can irritate and damage the lungs. The long-term effects of e-cigarettes that don't have nicotine are not known.
Why Should I Quit?
Wanting to be the best, healthiest version of yourself is an important reason to quit vaping. Others include:
How Can I Quit?
Decide why you want to quit and write it down or put it in your phone. Look at the reason (s) when you feel the urge to vape.
Why do people use e-cigarettes?
increase the risk of other types of addiction later in life. Some people use e-cigarettes to vape marijuana , THC oil, and other dangerous chemicals. Besides irritating the lungs, these drugs also affect how someone thinks, acts, and feels.
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 many teens are vaping in 2019?
Vaping marijuana continues to dramatically increase in popularity among teens, according to numbers from the latest Monitoring the Future study . In 2019, 14% of high school seniors admitted to vaping marijuana in the past month. This is almost double the percentage from 2018. In addition, 21% of 12 th graders reported vaping marijuana within ...
What is the use of e-cigs?
As mentioned earlier, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is also referred to as vaping. There are hundreds of different brands and a few different styles of e-cigs. But in general, they are all battery-operated devices that have a cartridge that holds a liquid solution. When a person puffs, the e-cig vaporizes the liquid and the user inhales the vapor.
Does vaping affect the immune system?
Vaping (and smoking) can cause damage to a person's lungs. Those activities can also affect a person's immune system. People with lung issues are more hurt by COVID-19 symptoms than healthy people.
Does marijuana affect teen brain development?
Studies have found that regular marijuana use during the teen years disrupts brain development and can also lead to problems with attention span, behavior and impulse control in adulthood.
Is vaping marijuana dangerous?
Vaping marijuana (THC oil) can be more dangerous than smoking the drug. This is because people often vape a higher concentration of THC which, in turn, intensifies the high and can increase the "likelihood of addiction and adverse medical consequences,” Dr. Volkow said during a teleconference about the study.
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 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).
What to do if a friend offers a cigarette?
Discuss what they might say if a friend offers a cigarette or e-cigarette. Set a good example. If you smoke or vape, the best thing you can do is quit. At a minimum, don’t smoke around your children. Establish a smoke-free home. Don’t allow family members or friends to smoke in your home or car.
How to steer kids away from tobacco?
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. Be honest and open to seeing things from your child’s point of view. And don’t stop.
Can you smoke with your kids?
At a minimum, don’t smoke around your children. Establish a smoke-free home. Don’t allow family members or friends to smoke in your home or car. Make sure the places your child spends a lot of time are tobacco-free. If your child has started smoking or vaping, try to learn why.
How many high school students use e-cigarettes?
More than 3.6 million middle and high school students use e-cigarettes today. Many youths think vaping is harmless, but it can have serious health consequences.
Why are teens more vulnerable to addiction than adults?
You’re actually more vulnerable than adults to addiction because your adolescent brain is still developing.
Is it possible to quit vaping?
Not vaping is the best thing to do. It’s important to know that the vast majority of teens do not vape, they do not want to vape, and they have not vaped. But when you’re seeing all those social media posts about everybody vaping, you think that everybody vapes. It’s also important to know that millions of teens have quit. And so it definitely is possible.
Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes?
You need to know that e-cigarettes are not safe. They can cause coughing and wheezing, and changes in blood vessels. They also contain chemicals that cause cancer. Even if you are a “casual” user—you know, you say, Oh, I’m only using on the weekends or with friends—that can still lead to severe nicotine addiction. Some teens can experience symptoms of addiction after just a few weeks of use. Your brain doesn’t completely mature until about 25 years of age—and when the brain is still developing, there’s a higher likelihood of becoming addicted to things like nicotine. I get so many comments like, Oh, well, my friend told me that Juul was nicotine-free—but it’s simply not true.
Do teens vape?
It’s important to know that the vast majority of teens do not vape, they do not want to vape, and they have not vaped.
Can you tell what is in a vape?
vapor(that’s where the term “vaping” comes from). You can’t always rely on a label to tell you exactly what’s in a vape. Some vapes claim they are nicotine-free, but they actually contain nicotine.
Can a pediatrician tell you to quit?
Yes. As pediatricians, it’s part of our responsibility to advise you to quit and to help you to quit. And this conversation with your pediatrician is confidential. But I would encourage teens to talk to any trusted adult—whether that’s a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or somebody in their scout troop.
How to take care of yourself?
Self-care looks different to everyone, so as you get to know yourself better, tune into what you need to be healthy, both physically and emotionally. Don’t deny yourself this significant indulgence. If you don’t replenish your mental and physical well-being, the consequences can be dire. Find ways to rest and refuel both your body and mind. Then practice them regularly.
Is parenting a teenager fun?
Parenting teens can be lonely, hilarious, frustrating, and fun. No matter where you are, we're here for you.
