A lot of kids see vaping as being less harmful than smoking cigarettes. While there is much that scientists need to learn about the long-term effects of vaping, the data so far suggests that it’s far from safe. That’s because vapes generally still contain nicotine, which is highly addictive – especially to kids. Nicotine can also harm the parts of the brain in kids that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. If you find out that your kid is vaping, it’s a good idea to help them quit.
Why do Kids Start Vaping?
While studies show that many adults who smoke cigarettes start from as young as 14, the age for vaping is even lower. According to the National Library of Medicine, kids can be introduced to vaping from as young as seven. As they get older, the likelihood increases. The statistics show that 17 is the average age of those who vape.
The reason for vaping varies but can include a few common things. One of them is that kids are likely to start vaping if they see the adults around them doing it. To them, that shows that it’s an accepted practice. They may also give in to peer pressure from their friends. As with smoking, kids may see vaping as a way to establish their independence or personality. It’s a way for them to show those around them who they are.
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Your kid may also be interested in vaping because it’s something new to them. They may have only heard about it and want to see what all the fuss is about. Of course, once they have tried it, they’ve been exposed to the nicotine the vapes contain. As mentioned before, nicotine is addictive without having the debilitating intoxication that comes from other substances like alcohol.
Finally, you can’t discount the effectiveness of vape advertising. These ads are meant to show vaping as an attractive alternative to smoking cigarettes or an easy way to quit smoking if you’re fighting the habit. They attract kids through the use of celebrities and influencers in their marketing campaigns.
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10 Ways to Help Them Quit
1. Don’t Vape
It’s true that kids can get introduced to vaping by anyone. However, if they see you doing it, they’re more likely to think that it’s acceptable. You can prevent that by quitting.
2. Keep Vaping Out of Your House
If other family members, friends, or guests vape, you should ask them not to do so in your home, anymore. They should also keep their vaping products out of reach or better yet, out of the house entirely.
3. Have Open Conversations
When kids start vaping, they rarely know the risks. If your child is vaping, talk to them about how it can affect their ability to concentrate and think rationally. Vaping can also have long-term effects on the lungs and heart.
4. Ask Questions
It’s tempting to launch into a lecture about why vaping is bad but the experts encourage starting with questions, instead. Some of the information you may want to know is why they started vaping, how they feel when they vape, what makes them want to keep vaping, and how much they know about the health effects of vaping.
5. Help Them to Discard Their Vapes
If they have any vaping products in the house, it will be important to get rid of them. You’ll have to ask them to be honest about where they are keeping what they use.
6. Be Patient
It might not look like it but vaping can be just as addictive as smoking. That means it can take time for your kid to really quit. You need to be patient with them if they lapse and vape again. What’s integral is that they trust you to help.
7. Discuss Cravings
They might not know what to expect once they quit so you should talk to them about what nicotine cravings are. It can help to show them articles online about what they’re like.
8. Create a Plan
Even after the cravings pass, your kid may still feel the urge to vape. You should talk to them about a plan that deals with what they should do when that happens. The aim is to stop them from vaping.
9. Encourage Questions
The discussion about vaping shouldn’t be a one-way deal. They might have some questions for you – especially if you have vaped or smoked before. It’s critical that you’re honest so you can maintain trust during this time.
10. Seek Professional Help
You don’t have to deal with the situation alone. Talking to the school’s guidance counselor, a therapist, or your child’s doctor can help. They can give you a more comprehensive guide in helping your child to quit.
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How to Support Their Journey
As you might expect, quitting is rarely a ‘one-and-done’ experience. Those who quit vaping will still feel the urge to do it again and may even have an occasional lapse. To help them stay on their vape-free journey, it’s important to support them along the way. You can do this by continuing the communication about the dangers of vaping. If there are local or online programs they can join that help with quitting, those can help.
It’s good to have a check-in point where your child knows they can come to you if they’re feeling the urge to vape. You also need to discuss what they should do if they’re put in a situation where other people are vaping. Having a strategy can make it easier for them to come out of that vape-free.
It’s common for people who are leaving one addictive behavior behind to pick something else that’s just as addictive. You can help them avoid that by introducing them to some good distractions. New hobbies, community work, a part-time job, or more parent/kid activities are good ways to keep them from having too much time on their hands.
Finally, you can ask them to try out apps that usually help people to quit smoking. Though they’re usually aimed at cigarettes, these programs can help anyone stay on track. They usually have a built-in reward system to encourage former smokers to keep going as well as interesting facts about how their health improves once they’ve been smoke-free for certain periods.
How it Affects Black Kids
While statistics show that Black kids generally vape less than white ones, the numbers are still alarming. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 10 percent of Black American kids smoke cigarettes. In comparison, close to 11 percent of Black kids use some form of an e-cigarette or vape. They also found that Black American kids are vaping in middle and high school. There are also more Black kids using e-cigarettes or vaping in middle school than other ethnicities.
Studies show that Black people usually start smoking at an older age but are less likely to quit. Given that nicotine can be more addictive to young people, there is a possibility that vaping at a young age puts your child at a higher risk of being a lifelong smoker and developing chronic illnesses that are associated with prolonged nicotine use. Research also shows that kids who vape or use e-cigarettes are up to three times more likely to switch to cigarettes as they age.
Vaping may be advertised as safe but studies show otherwise. Kids who vape put themselves at risk of becoming addicted to nicotine and developing chronic illnesses. As a parent, the best thing you can do is help them quit the unsafe practice and support them on the journey to remain vape-free.
