How to Talk to Your Child About Vaping

E-cigarettes, or vapes as they are often called, have been available in the marketplace for some time. Their use has dramatically increased in the past decade. Unfortunately, this rise in usage has been documented among teens and young adults. In 2017, 11% of high school children reported using an electronic cigarette in the past 30 days; that number rose to 21% in 2018 and 27.5% by 2019. However, it is not just high school kids who experiment with this; the rate of use among middle schoolers rose from only 0.6% in 2011 to 10.5% in 2019. With sharp increases like this, it is safe to say vaping is becoming a massive concern for parents, educators, and health professionals.

Moreover, it can be challenging to find out whether or not your child is using e-cigarettes. The devices are often small, simple to conceal, and easily confused with other gadgets such as USB drives. Plus, the vape “smoke” doesn’t leave any lingering smells in your home or on your child’s clothing, so you won’t be able to catch a whiff of their use. But, with an outbreak of vaping-related illness sweeping the nation, it is more important than ever to help your children understand the facts and dangers associated with this new fad. Keep reading to find out how to talk to your kid about drugs and acknowledge that this is not a harmless activity.

What Is Vaping?

Approaching your child about the risks of vaping, sometimes referred to, is difficult to do if you don’t even know how a vape works or what it is. Your child may use your inexperience to assume you don’t know what you are talking about and discredit everything you say. First, it is important to know all the names of this activity, including vaping or Juuling, vape pens or vapes, mods, and e-cigs or e-cigarettes. As a result of these many names, it can be difficult for parents to keep up with what their kids are discussing and doing. For example, while the Juuling definition is the same as vaping, it is even more specific as Juul is a brand name of vaping device.

These devices are primarily constructed from four components: a tank to hold vaping liquid (sometimes called e-juice or vape sauce), an atomizer that acts as the heating unit, a battery, and a mouthpiece. When the user begins to inhale or pull on the devices, a sensor detects this and triggers the battery to supply electricity to the atomizer. This heats the vaping liquid, creating a vapor that can be inhaled.

Three Ways You Can Talk to Your Child

In reality, the conversation you need to have with your child about nicotine addiction is very similar to the one you would have about any other type of drug. You will be able to have an open and honest dialogue after you are armed with vaping facts and an understanding of how this new way of smoking works. Here are some top tips for making the most of the exchange.

Explain the Health Risks

Unfortunately, many children who decide to try e-cigarettes are not informed or aware of the health risks associated with consistent use of the devices. In fact, many kids are under the impression that vaping is a safe alternative to traditional smoking. Perhaps the most significant health risk associated with nicotine addiction is the fact that health professionals are unclear about the long-term effects these devices will have on a young person’s health and brain development. Make sure you discuss this with your child and help them understand what that could mean for them as they grow older.

Highlight the Ties to Tobacco

Past initiatives have led many young people to believe that smoking is unacceptable. In 2018, only 13.7% of US adults reported smoking, a decrease from 20.9% in 2005. This rate is even lower among young adults aged 18-24, at just 7.8%. This trend correlates with the beliefs of younger generations, as the rate of traditional smoking among school-aged children continues to drop. However, many kids do not associate vaping with conventional smoking. According to the Truth Initiative, a public health non-profit committed to ending tobacco use in America, nearly two-thirds of children didn’t realize Juul pods contained nicotine. They started vaping because of the fun flavors of the liquids, such as crème brûlée and cotton candy. Highlighting these connections to the tobacco industry may help dissuade your children from using vapes.

Teach, Don’t Lecture

While it may be tempting to react strongly if you discover your child is vaping, remain calm and let them express themselves. Instead of asking, “How could you do something like this?” start a conversation by encouraging your child to ask questions, using this opportunity to learn about their experience. Inquire about how they discovered vaping, the pressures they feel to participate, and their thoughts on their usage and that of others around them. Understanding your child’s experience will better equip you to help them. For instance, if they want to avoid vaping but feel pressured, assist them in practicing how to say no and finding ways to exit uncomfortable situations. This approach will also help your child see you as an ally they can rely on in the future rather than someone they need to hide things from.

Talking to your children about drugs, and vaping in particular, can be a challenging task. However, armed with vaping facts, these tips will help you manage the discussion and create an open dialogue that will foster honesty with your kids.