E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are frequently thought to be safer than regular cigarettes. Actually, just like traditional cigarettes, vapes are bad for your health. Some e-cigarettes were found to contain twice as much nicotine as traditional cigarettes, according to reports. It is not only harder for smokers to give up when they are young due to the risk of nicotine addiction, but it can also alter the structure of the brain.
So what should parents do if they discover their kids attempting to vape?
What is Vape?
Vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, are devices that emit aerosols that the user inhales and that contain chemicals and nicotine. The main parts of an electronic cigarette are a heating element, a battery, and a cartridge filled with flavoring liquid. Vapes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. This liquid contains nicotine, glycerin and flavorings.
The e-cigarette generates a vapor that contains different chemicals by heating the liquid inside the tube. Smokers can inhale the chemicals contained in the vape from the mouthpiece. The vape may contain hazardous substances like diacetyl, heavy metals, cadmium, acrolein, and carcinogens, in addition to addictive substances like nicotine.
Read more: What Is Vape And Its Health Risk
How to talk to your kids about vaping
Although vaping is frequently seen as a safer alternative to regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes can still pose health risks, especially to young users.
Kids may try vaping because they are imitating the adults around them, because they are curious, because they think vaping is cooler than smoking, or because their friends are vaping.
Parents may get alarmed when they learn that their children are experimenting with vaping and often react in shock, rage, or irritation. However, when it comes to dealing with the reality that their child is experimenting with e-cigarettes, experts advise parents to remain composed and cool. The first step is for parents to talk to their children about vaping.
Choosing the right time
When a parent finds out that their child has experimented with vaping, the most common reaction is to scold them immediately.
If this happens to you, it is best to control your temper and talk to your child after you have had some time to calm down before talking to them.
Once you are feeling better, schedule a time and location where you, your partner, and the child can have a peaceful conversation without feeling rushed. Pick a time when it is cooler and more relaxed, like after lunch or dinner. A supportive atmosphere can make you and your child more open during the discussion.
Read more: Recognize The Dangers Of Smoking Vape Around Children
Finding out how your child knows about vaping
Parents should find out how much their kids understand about vaping before having a conversation with them. Ask them what they know about vaping, why they want to try it, what they want to get out of it, and if they understand the ingredients in vapes and their dangers. You should also ask them where they get their vapes.
When your child wants to respond to your questions, make an effort to listen to them first. Then, wait until they have completed telling the story before responding. When it comes to vaping, children and teenagers typically follow the trends that are popular in their environment.
If children are trying vaping for this reason, tell them that it is not necessary for them to follow risky trends in order to appear cool or gain acceptance from their peers. In order to get kids to reflect more thoroughly on what they have done, ask them questions that will spark conversation.
Explain the dangers of vaping
It is important to educate your kids about the risks associated with vaping and dispel the myth that vapes are just as dangerous as traditional cigarettes. The nicotine found in e-cigarettes has the potential to cause addiction and damage to the brain regions that regulate mood, impulse control, memory, focus, and attention span. Consequently, there may be a higher chance of children participating in dangerous activities like drug and cigarette use in the future.
It is best to talk to your kids about the dangers of long-term vaping use if you know they are experimenting with them. Children who stop using vapes earlier have a better chance of quitting smoking. Create a comfortable discussion environment when talking about vaping with your children so that they understand the dangers and long-term risks involved.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
American Lung Association. How to talk to your kids about vaping. Available from: https://www.lung.org/getmedia/302f26c0-d4b1-451f-a05a-092a93183b6c/vape-conversation-guide.pdf
Campbell, L. (2019). I Caught My Kid Vaping. What Should I Do Now?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/i-caught-my-kid-vaping-what-should-i-do
Better Health. Smoking and vaping: how to discourage your children. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/smoking-how-to-discourage-your-children
Healthy Children. E-Cigarettes & Vaping: Facts for Parents. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Facts-For-Parents-About-E-Cigarettes-Electronic-Nicotine-Delivery-Systems.aspx
CDC. About Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html