- 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 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. ...
How do you discipline a teenager for vaping?
Before giving them a harsh punishment, make sure you talk to them about why they're vaping and how often. Give them the low-down on the negative effects of vaping, but don't scare them into throwing it away. Always give them appropriate consequences and be consistent with your discipline approach.
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.
What are the effects of a 15 year old vaping?
Using nicotine in adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections – or synapses – are built between brain cells. Young people's brains build synapses faster than adult brains.
How do I get my 18 year old to stop vaping?
If you suspect your teen is vaping, there are some things that parents should do....How to Get a Teenager to Stop VapingGet your teenager talking. ... Weave in the facts. ... Appeal to their desire to be their own boss. ... Help your teen get help.
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.
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's worse smoking or vaping?
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.
Does vaping in the house affect others?
"Aerosols from vaping contain heavy metals and ultrafine particles," Islam said. "If somebody else is vaping in the same area, you're breathing it – those particles are entering your lungs, where they can do damage."
What are 10 dangers 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 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.
What can I replace vaping with?
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.
How long does it take to stop vaping?
How long does it take to quit vaping? Everyone is different, and it depends on your quitting strategy. Nicotine withdrawals typically peak 1 to 3 days after quitting. During the withdrawal period, it's important to have someone to talk to — whether it's a family member or a Quit Coach.
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 to say if parents find vape?
Tell them you are sorry, and that you'll give it up. Then give it up. Seriously - vaping has not been proven to be safe, and smoking is definitely not safe, so why would you want to damage your body on purpose? Your parents want the best for you.
What parents need to know about vaping?
addiction: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that's highly addictive. You don't have to vape every day to get addicted. anxiety and depression: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.
What do you do when you catch your child 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 do you know if your child is vaping?
Symptoms such as headaches, irritability, behavioral issues, mood changes, anxiety and depression are all common, and the onset can happen virtually overnight. Often, these are the first signs parents have that their child is vaping.
Why do teens become dependent on nicotine?
The fact is that teens are especially vulnerable to becoming dependent on nicotine, even after just a few weeks, because their brains are still developing and they are consuming elevated amounts of the drug.
What is Connect 5 for teens?
In addition to general education, the CONNECT 5 teen platform is designed like a streaming style interface, where teens can browse through different series and episodes on how to make a positive impact on their health by quitting the use of nicotine products.
Is it too late to quit smoking?
If you use tobacco products, it’s never too late to quit. Talk to a healthcare professional about quitting all forms of tobacco product use. For free help, visit https://smokefree.gov/ or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW . Adopt tobacco-free family rules, including the use of vaping products.
Is it hard to quit vaping?
It’s important to understand that it can be as difficult to quit vaping as it is to quit smoking, perhaps even harder. Many teens often don’t realize the amount of nicotine they are ingesting. One Juul pod, for example, is the equivalent of a full pack of cigarettes.
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.
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.
How to help a teenager with nicotine addiction?
You can help your teenager seek out resources to learn more like talking to a free counselor at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or online chat rooms at waytoquit.org . As teenagers learn more about their behavior, they can understand how to move forward in life without nicotine products.
How to hide vapor smell?
Frequently going outside or using the restroom. Teenagers may attempt to conceal the smell and sight of vapor by retreating to the bathroom or going outside to inhale a puff of vapor. They may use the bathroom fan for added ventilation.
Why does vaping dry out my mouth?
This might be caused, in part, due to the added stress vaping places on a vaper’s lungs. Excessive drinking. Vaping may dry out a vaper’s mouth, and your teenager may address this by more frequently drinking water and other liquids. Frequently going outside or using the restroom.
How long does it take for a vape to feel nauseous?
Nausea and vomiting. Vapers experiencing lung injury may feel nauseous, abdominal pain, or have diarrhea. These symptoms may develop within a few days or they may take weeks to develop.
What are the effects of smoking e-cigarettes?
E-cigarette vapor can also contain ultrafine particles along with heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead. These chemicals impact mental and physical health. Nicotine is not only addictive but can harm teenagers' hearts, lungs and brain development, while impacting learning, memory and attention.
What percentage of high schoolers use e-cigarettes?
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is growing in popularity, particularly among teenagers. The National Youth Tobacco Survey estimate that 27.5 percent of high school students in 2019 have used e-cigarettes, up from just 1.5 percent of high school students in 2011.
How many middle schoolers use e-cigarettes?
Teenagers in middle school are also vaping in growing numbers. The same survey estimated that 10.5 percent of 2019 middle schoolers have used e-cigarettes. Teenagers may mistakenly believe that vaping is safe.
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.
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?
