what to do when you find your teenager vaping

• Experts advise parents who discover their teen is vaping to react in a calm and measured manner. ...
• While there should be consequences for certain behaviors, the delivery of these consequences needs to come from a calm, rational place.
• Work with your teen to assess whether or not they have a nicotine addiction, and have an open discussion about getting them the help they need.

Full Answer

How do you deal with a teen who wants to vape?

Appeal to your teen’s natural sense of rebellion. “Talk to teens about how the vaping industry is manipulating them,” Folkenroth says—for example, by making JUUL pods in flavors that appeal to young consumers, such as mango, crème, and fruit.

Is vaping bad for teens?

Plus, vaping devices often resemble pens or thumb drives, so it’s easier for teens to use them without getting caught. Vaping primes the brain for more drug use and addiction. Vaping makes it more likely that teens will begin using other drugs besides nicotine.

How can I tell if my teenager is vaping?

At some point, most parents of teenagers have wondered, “How can I tell if my teen is vaping?” 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.

What can I do to help my teen quit using e-cigarettes?

The program delivers tailored messages via text that give age-appropriate quitting advice. The American Lung Association also offers several programs to help educate teens on e-cigarette use, including Not On Tobacco (a voluntary youth cessation program) and Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health.

How do I stop vaping?

Do teens want to talk to their parents about vaping?

Is vaping a trend?

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What to do when you find out 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.

How do I stop my teenager from smoking and vaping?

Take an active stance against teen smoking. Participate in local and school-sponsored smoking prevention campaigns. Support efforts to make public places smoke-free and increase taxes on tobacco products. Talk to your teen early and often about the dangers of smoking and vaping.

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 OK for a 15 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 to do if you catch your teenager 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.

How do you get 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 confront someone 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.

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 I test my 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.

Can you tell if someone is vaping in your house?

“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 percentage of teenagers vape?

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.

Why do teens 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.

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 long will it take to quit vaping?

Understand that the most intense feelings of withdrawal and cravings will often diminish after the first week, and the addiction will begin to subside. Nicotine withdrawal usually lasts about one month, and will get much easier after that time. Find healthier activities to replace vaping.

What are side effects of vaping?

The most commonly-reported adverse effects were throat/mouth irritation, headache, cough, and nausea, which tended to dissipate with continued use....The most common side effects of vaping include:coughing.dry mouth and throat.shortness of breath.mouth and throat irritation.headaches.

What punishment should I give to my 13-year old son for vaping?

Answer (1 of 54): I would not suggest a punishment, per se. My approach was more one of education. “Okay, here’s what’s happening.” I’d say and lay it all out. I’d ask if it was true, why they did it (and I’d actively listen), then ask what they thought I should do. If they felt I should apply co...

You caught your teen vaping. Now what? - Providence

Prepare yourself to have an open and honest discussion with your child about the risks of 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.

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.

What is Smokefree Teen?

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

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.”

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 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.

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).

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 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 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."

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?

Why do teens think vapes are vapor?

Marketing companies want teens to think it’s vapor because inhaling aerosol sounds too dangerous.

Why is vaping so widespread?

Marlene stresses that vaping is a very widespread problem and the reason it is spreading so fast is how highly addictive it is . One Juul pod holds the same amount of nicotine of a full pack of cigarettes, and kids are going through as many as three to four Juul cartridges in a day.

What is vaping in a vape?

Marelene tells us that vaping is defined as “smoking on an electronic delivery system.” Every vape contains a liquid, a battery to heat the liquid, and an absorbent material to hold the heated liquid vapor. The user inhales on the mouthpiece and exhales a vapor or, more accurately an aerosol. Marketing companies want teens to think it’s vapor because inhaling aerosol sounds too dangerous.

Why did Marlene want to provide a bit of background knowledge about vaping?

Marlene wanted to provide a bit of background knowledge about vaping because it is hard to know how to support our kids making safe, healthy choices since we didn’t have devices like this when we were teenagers. In fact, Marlene notes, the way this question is asked shows the difference between how parents and kids think of vaping. The parent ends her question wondering what to do with her fourteen-year-old smoker, her vaping teen, whereas most kids don’t consider what they are doing as smoking.

Why is it so easy for teens to become addicted to drugs?

Teenager’s brains are still growing, so it is much easier to develop an addiction. Once one a substance is introduced , it can prime the brain and make the teen more likely to become addicted to other drugs.

Is vaping a long term addiction?

The long term effects of vaping and nicotine addiction, however, are still relatively unknown because these devices have not been around for very long and there is not a lot of data.

Is vaping bad for you?

There are a couple of health risks specifically from vaping. Marlene warns of a few case’s of teens getting pretty severe pneumonia from the liquid that pools in the lungs and there are some worries about the effects of inhaling from a heated plastic device.

How to help your parents with drug abuse?

If a friend is involved, consider contacting the parents. First, it will send a message that drug use will not be tolerated . Second, it can help the other parents to take measures to prevent their children’s drug abuse. Third, it creates a dialogue around drug use between concerned parents.

What Can Parents Do If Their Child Is Using Marijuana?

This is a great benefit as many parents are in the dark. But what are the next steps to immediately take? The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids advises that the following actions can help:

Why do parents search for marijuana?

Marijuana users, in order to protect their supply, may stash different quantities of the drug at home. Some parents will want to have evidence of marijuana abuse before approaching their child about their suspicions. For this reason, some parents may opt to search their children’s room, as well as the entire house, for marijuana and/or marijuana paraphernalia. There are numerous potential hiding places for marijuana, such as:

Why do people stash marijuana at home?

Increasingly foregoing social interactions or activities that do not involve marijuana use. Marijuana users, in order to protect their supply, may stash different quantities of the drug at home. Some parents will want to have evidence of marijuana abuse before approaching their child about their suspicions.

What does it feel like to be facing a drug abuse parent?

A parent who is facing a child’s drug abuse may feel a host of conflicting emotions, such as disappointment and guilt over any perceived parenting missteps. But dealing with a child’s drug use, whether it is experimental or more developed, is a reality for many parents.

What is the best practice for a person who is abusing marijuana?

The best practice is to know about feasible treatment options before approaching the person who is abusing marijuana or other drugs. A next step is to have an informal or formal intervention. An informal intervention can involve simply approaching the person to have a talk about the suspected or known drug use.

What percentage of teenagers use marijuana?

The number of teenagers who used marijuana varied according to age group: 1 percent of 12-13 year olds used marijuana, while in the 14-15 age group, marijuana use rose to 5.8 percent . It again rose to 14.2 percent in the 16-17 age group. Among underage drinkers, marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug in combination with alcohol.

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.