I JUST CAUGHT MY KID VAPING, SERIOUSLY!?- WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW- or DON’T DO!?
How we react when our child is caught vaping can have a huge negative or positive impact on what happens next.
- React Calm
- Ask Questions
- Listen to your Child’s answers
Boasting fruity flavors combined with convenient and often easy to hide devices, the vaping industry appears to have reached a successful target market in teenagers.
While cigarette use among teens had previously been on the decline, vaping has once again increased teenagers’ interest in, and use of, nicotine products.
Nevertheless, how a parent reacts when they discover their child is vaping can make a huge impact on their behavior.
What can parents do?
- Arm yourself with information is always a good start.
- Vaping is addictive. Nicotine addiction at a young age no only makes it harder for a person to quit, it can cause brain remolding, changing the threshold for addiction to other substances in the future.
- Keep an open dialogue with your kids about vaping to create the safe space for them to talk to you about it, even if they have already tried it. This involves you talking and listening to create an environment of comfort for your teenager.
What if your teen is already vaping?
As a parent, you have to check your emotions in these situations. Don’t overreact. What they are needing is a calm, reasonable response. There should be consequences for these behaviors, the delivery of these consequences needs to come from a calm, rational place. The delivery of emotions and consequences plays a role in how your teenagers react and results in choosing to vape or not vape.
How can you get your teenager help?
If you find they have an addiction to nicotine your first contact should be your pediatrician or family doctor.
It is important for parents to maintain an open dialog with your teen as a key component of them getting the help they need and successfully being able to quit vaping.
Smokefree Teen is a resource with apps and texting
options teens can access.
This awareness message is brought in partnership with Empower Tusc.
