Author: Hallye Rosenbloom, B.A.
A recent survey completed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Monitoring the Future Study found that, in 2020, 19.6% of high school students had tried an e-cigarette in the past 30 days. They also discovered that, in 2020, 4.7% of middle schoolers had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. Also concerning, a 2018 study by the Truth Initiative found that almost two-thirds of the adolescents and young adults who use e-cigarettes were unaware that these products contain nicotine. These new vaping and e-cigarette products are more attractive to youth than traditional combustible tobacco products because they come in fun flavors and subtle designs. They are also heavily marketed on social media, which leads to more exposure to the products and a perception that they are cool. With rising rates of e-cigarette and vape use among teenagers and mixed information circulating about the safety of these products, it is important to have conversations with your teenagers about the risks of vaping.
- Understand the Risks
- E-cigarettes and vapes contain chemicals, such as nicotine, that are addictive and harmful to developing brains
- These chemicals can also harm teen’s lungs and make it harder to engage in physical activities
- Some e-cigarette cartridges have exploded and injured or burned teenage
- Tips for Talking with your Teen
- Choose a good time to talk, such as in the car, during dinner, or when seeing someone use an e-cigarette on television or in person
- Be clear and consistent in your message about the dangers of vaping
- Be patient, caring, and avoid criticizing them
- Make it an open conversation, not a lecture – ask them questions about their knowledge and perceptions of e-cigarettes
- Continue the conversation as they get older
- Model being tobacco free
- Creating an “Exit Plan”
- Acknowledge that it can be hard to say no to friends
- Help them come up with realistic action steps and practice role playing saying no to e-cigarettes in social settings
- Let your teen know they can come to you for help or to talk more about vaping
- Be Prepared and Utilize Resources
- https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/TTHY-Vaping-Broch-2020.pdf
- https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipSheet_508.pdf
Source: Truth Initiative. (2021). E-Cigarettes: faces, stats, and regulations. [fact sheet]. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/e-cigarettes-facts-stats-and-regulations