I remember when vaping really took off in the late 2010s. In fact, I wrote a few articles for Plugged In in 2019 referencing statistics of teens who were using the e-cigarette products, the different companies that were no longer going to sell them, and the various studies being conducted about the dangers of vaping.
Well, here we are four years later, and vaping is still a problem. HuffPost reported in September that the United Kingdom’s government was planning to ban all disposable vapes due to the “concern that they are widely marketed at children.” (And the ministers were criticized for not taking action sooner. The first e-cigarette was developed in 2003, according to the National Institutes of Health, so they’ve been a problem for quite some time.)
In the United States, the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that more than 3 million middle and high school aged students currently use tobacco products. That’s a pretty staggering number considering it’s illegal for retailers to sell tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) to anyone under 21. And lest there be any doubt about the attraction of vaping to youth, 2.5 million of those aforementioned students are, in fact, using e-cigarettes. And a survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians found that “one in five young Americans thinks vaping is harmless.”
Harmless? Well, that’s just not true. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, vaping, while less harmful than smoking, still isn’t safe. There was an outbreak of lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping in 2020. And research indicates that even when nicotine is absent from e-cigarettes, other ingredients, particularly flavoring agents, carry other risks to heart and lung health.
Additionally, electronic cigarettes are just as addictive as traditional ones. Nicotine is one of the world’s most addictive chemicals. And because users can buy extra-strength cartridges or increase their e-cig’s voltage to get a greater hit of the substance, they can consume even more nicotine than combustible tobacco products offer. In fact, one user found that she was consuming a pod and a half per day, which has more nicotine than an entire pack of cigarettes. So if someone is using an e-cigarette to kick a smoking habit, they may be fighting a losing battle.
So what’s a parent to do in the face of this epidemic? Well, Focus on the Family has several resources that may help you and your family to address the topic. Here are some basics to get you started:
- Talk to your kids about vaping before they’re exposed to it. You can prepare for the conversation by doing research online (many of the links here include information provided by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Additionally, you should pay attention to vaping advertisements that target teens and legislation in your state. This will help you understand what your kids might see or hear regarding the topic.
- Ask questions. When the time comes, ask your teen what he or she knows and thinks about vaping. By letting them talk uninterrupted, you’ll get a better idea of any inaccurate information they may have received previously. And you may even find that they have no interest in pursuing the habit.
- Avoid overacting or criticizing. If you do find that your child is vaping, you’ll want to ask additional questions to find out why they started. Let him or her know you want to understand where they’re coming from. And if you find that your teen started as a result of peer pressure, consider sharing some of the smart or foolish ways you may have tried yourself as a youth to fit in. Ask your teen what their thoughts are on your own past actions. And see if there’s a way you can redirect that desire to fit in toward something more positive.
- Take the fun out of vaping. At the end of the day, you are the parent. And while you can’t control every aspect of your teen’s life, you can help them discover that foolish behavior results in unwanted consequences. Select a punishment that fits the crime. (For instance, limiting the use of the car since vaping can cause distracted driving.) Ensure your child that their privileges will be restored when they quit vaping. And try to remain calm since it’s more effective than anger.
- Don’t lose hope. As Marie Kohlwaies writes for Focus on the Family: “Your children—regardless of age—are never out of God’s sight or beyond His reach. As you pray for them, talk to them about important issues, and express your unconditional love for them, you’ll be doing some of the best things any parent can ever do.”
If you or a family members needs to speak with a counselor about substance abuse, contact Focus on the Family at 1-800-A-FAMILY (1-800-232-6459).
One Response
Here’s a verse from scripture that sums up addiction perfectly: Ephesians 5:18: Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. I know it’s talking about alcohol, but it can also apply to tobacco and other drugs and behaviors.