Your Health: How to talk to your kids about vaping

In 2022, about 46% of U.S. high schoolers reported vaping on 20 or more days in a month. The 2022 NYTS found that about 85% of youth that vape use flavored products. These flavors hide the taste of tobacco, making it more enticing to try. Youth also think they are less harmful because of these flavors.

Using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe for young people. Tobacco products—including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and most e-cigarettes—contain nicotine, which is an addictive drug.

Parents and guardians play an important role in their child’s life. First and foremost, set a good example. If you are currently using tobacco products, consider quitting. I am a tobacco treatment specialist here at City-County Health District and I can help you come up with a quit plan. Practice ways to say no in pressuring situations, like being offered an e-cigarette by a peer. Talk to your kids about tobacco use.

It is never too early to start talking to your kids about the dangers of tobacco. Vaping can begin in elementary school.

Before talking with your child, make sure you know the facts. If your child asks a question that you don’t have the answer to, take this as an opportunity to research the question together. Surgeon General, CDC, and American Lung Association are all good resources to use.

Look for teachable moments:

whether you see an ad for an e-cigarette, pass a vape shop while driving in the car, or see a person vaping on TV or in person - make the conversation relevant, and your child won’t think you’re bringing it up out of nowhere. Don’t use their friends as examples, no one wants to hear their friends being judged or criticized.

Remember this is a conversation not a lecture:

Avoid criticism and judgement. Don’t react, just listen. Keep your cool if they share things you weren’t expecting to hear. Pause before responding, ask a question, and be supportive. Thank them for being honest with you.

Praise them for their good judgement:

Every day children are making good choices. Not giving in to the temptation of vaping is one of those good choices. Compliment them on their good judgment and tell them you’re proud of their courage and viewpoints. Remind them that they are independent thinkers who don’t have to be persuaded by peer pressure.

Avoid scare tactics:

Making dramatic claims such as equating vaping with other temptations or illegal drugs might lessen your credibility and chances of connecting with them. Don’t make the mistake of losing your child’s attention by being overly dramatic.

Make connections with what they care about: Relate the risky choice of vaping with how it could prevent them from accomplishing their goals.

Ask open-ended questions like:

How often do you see youth vaping? What do you think of vaping? What might you say if your friends ask you to vape with them?

Keep the lines of communication open:

Quick and frequent conversations are more effective than one serious sit-down conversation. There is too much pressure and intimidation with a big sit-down conversation, which may cause communication to just shut down. Let them know you’re always there for them if they have questions.

Kaitlen Lee is a registered nurse and tobacco treatment specialist at City-County Health District. Your Health is organized by City-County Health District.