After years of growing vaping use among teenagers, there was recently good news: Youth e-cigarette use dropped to the lowest levels in a decade, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Through changes to how e-cigarettes are sold and public education campaigns, the rates of tobacco use are dropping. However, an estimated 5.9% (or 1.63 million) middle and high schoolers in the United States are using e-cigarettes. Most adults who use tobacco began the habit as teenagers, so early intervention can help prevent a lifetime of use.
Learn why vaping is bad for teens’ health and how to address it with your child.
Understanding teen vaping
E-cigarettes are small, battery-operated devices that heat up a nicotine (or cannabis) liquid into a spray (or aerosol), which is inhaled. This is called “vaping.” At first, e-cigarettes were marketed as a safe alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes because they contain fewer chemicals. However, e-cigarettes (also called “vape pens”) quickly deliver a dose of highly addictive nicotine. They also include cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals and tiny particles that can lodge deep within the lungs.
Why vaping is dangerous for teens
The brain undergoes a lot of important development during adolescence. In fact, the brain doesn’t stop growing until age 25/ This makes teenagers more vulnerable to damage from nicotine use. Teen vaping puts them at risk for:
- Quicker addiction to nicotine and a greater chance of smoking cigarettes later in life.
- Damage to parts of the brain that control learning, attention, memory, mood and impulse control.
- Symptoms, like anxiety, sleep problems and mood disorders.
- EVALI, a lung injury caused by e-cigarettes that can lead to hospitalization.
- Lasting effects, such as a greater likelihood of abusing drugs, challenges in thinking (cognition) and problems regulating emotions.
Why teens vape
Most young people are exposed to effective and targeted e-cigarette marketing. The companies that sell vapes also make nicotine cartridges in a variety of dessert and fruity flavors that appeal to teens. The FDA found that 8 out of 10 young e-cigarette users smoked vapes in fruit, candy and other sweet flavors.
Recognizing when your teen is vaping
Most teenagers do not vape. But there are often signs among the ones who do. As with smoking, it can be challenging to know if your child is vaping. You can look for:
- Vape pens, which can look like USB flash drives or car key fobs. They can also be disguised as markers, bulky phone cases or lipstick tubes. Some vape pens are disposable, and others use replaceable cartridges.
- Faint scents of fruit or sweets. Vapes do not produce a strong smell.
- Mood swings, irritability or restlessness in your teen.
- Coughing, irritated throat or nosebleeds in your teen.
Supporting your teen to avoid or quit vaping
Stop using tobacco as an adult
Most kids try vaping for the first time because a family member vapes or they were curious about it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Stop using nicotine and talk to your child about why you are quitting and how you’ll do it.
Communicate early and honestly
Open communication with your teen can help them avoid trying vaping. This can also make them more willing to talk to you about it if they begin the habit. Talk about vaping early with your child and describe how it affects their brain. You can connect these dangers to goals your child has, such as athletics or academics (i.e., “Vaping can damage your lungs, which you need for running track.”) You can also explain to them how companies target kids specifically.
If your teen is already vaping, try to remain calm and compassionate. Acknowledge their honesty and avoid shaming them for vaping. Instead, talk about ways you can work together to help them quit.
Talk about ways to minimize stress and avoid vaping
Stress is a natural experience for these kids at this age. Teens are facing all kinds of pressures, from grades and sports to bullying and peer pressure. Talk to your child about ways to safely manage stress, such as calming exercises, physical activities and talking with a trusted person. You can also share ways to say no if they are offered a vape. You can also discuss potential triggers that might make them want to return to the habit, and how to avoid them.
Getting help
If your child is struggling with vaping addiction, ask your family doctor about ways to help. One of the most effective ways to stop the habit is to create a plan to quit vaping. Discuss how you will support your child through the process of quitting and encourage them if they slip up.
There are also a variety of plans, apps, hotlines and other supports to help you support your child to quit vaping:
- Parents’ guide to talking to teens about vaping - FDA
- Teen tools for quitting - National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Research on the negative effects of teen vaping
- Empower Vape-Free Youth - CDC
- Talking to Your Child About Vaping - American Lung Association
- What to know about nitrous oxide abuse, another risky habit among teens
While the drop in teen vaping rates is encouraging, it’s still important to stay ahead of this problem. Early and open communication with your teen can help them avoid picking up a vape. If they know you are a non-judgmental supporter, they are more likely to reach out to you for help quitting. Be sure to think about the role that your own tobacco use can play in influencing your child’s decisions. Contact your doctor if you have concerns about the health effects of vaping.
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