Being a parent is a huge blessing, but it’s also a huge responsibility. One of your key responsibilities as a parent is to keep your children healthy and away from tobacco, drugs, and other harmful addictions. But raising kids isn’t easy. When they come, the package doesn’t include any user manual, and they don’t have a stop button. Yes, I’ve looked! However, they do come with several emotional and physical needs, which parents must provide. A failure to do so can have long-term, drastic effects.
Let me ask you a question: can you guess what’s the most common reason for people to quit smoking? Right, it’s becoming a parent. The motivation to keep your offspring healthy is powerful enough to get rid of the biggest addiction known to mankind. But still, it can be an extremely tough row to hoe. That’s why many people who just can’t quit cold turkey try other aids like nicotine gums, nicotine patches, and e-cigarettes.
Several recent studies show that using e-cigarettes, also known as vaporizers or just e-cigs, is many times safer than smoking. Unlike chewing gum or slamming a patch on your arm, it offers pretty much the same sensation as smoking a real cigarette. However, those who don’t smoke or underage children need to stay away from vaporizers. If you are a parent who vapes, this guide has a lot of valuable info, some interesting facts, and handy tips for you.
National Youth Tobacco Survey Shows Rise in Vaping
Smoking among teens has been a huge concern for many years. According to federal statistics, approximately 90% of smokers try their first cigarette by age 18. In recent years, vaping among teens has surfaced as a major concern.
According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) every year, vaping is becoming quickly popular among high school students, which definitely is bad news. So, what’s the good news? We’ll talk about it shortly, but first, let’s take a quick look at some stats from the surveys published in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
The survey from 2014 shows that 15% of male and 11.9% of female students reported having used an electronic cigarette in the preceding 30 days of the survey. By 2015, the numbers had gone up to 19% for boys and 12.8% for girls. In 2013, only 1.1% of students (1.4% males and 0.9% females) had tried an electronic cigarette, but by 2014, vaping had become the most common method among teens.
These trends have been alarming to many doctors and public health experts. The CDC Director, Thomas Frieden, described these trends as “alarming” and “shocking.” Well, it’s hard to disagree with them because e-cigarettes are meant for ex-smoking adults, not even for adult non-smokers, let alone kids.
Should I Let My Teenager Vape?
Unlike tobacco cigarettes, e-cigs or vaporizers don’t have the loathsome smell, ash, or butts. The vapor evaporates quickly, and e-cigarettes come in all shapes and sizes, which can be concealable or hard to distinguish from a normal pen, USB memory stick, or other handheld gadgets. So, if your child is vaping secretly, it can be extremely hard to catch them.
This is a predicament for parents. However, with some inside info and a little effort, you can figure out whether or not your kid is vaping, and take action accordingly.
Secondhand Vapor and Vaping Around Infants
A study conducted by the Spanish Council of Scientific Research, published in the Journal of Chromatography, showed remarkable results. The study measured levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which can be toxic, in indoor air, exhaled breath, exhaled smoke from tobacco cigarettes, and exhaled vapor from e-cigarettes.
Interestingly, the study showed that exhaled vapor from e-cigarettes contained fewer VOCs than exhaled smoke from traditional cigarettes. However, it’s important to note that secondhand vapor does contain nicotine. No matter how safe it is, vapor has a similar stigma to smoke, and many people find it equally repellent. So, be cautious when vaping in public.
If you have an infant, it’s better not to vape around them at all. Vapor contains nicotine and propylene glycol, which can cause throat irritation in non-smokers, and we still don’t know how it may affect babies. Manufacturers of e-cigarettes sometimes conceal the ingredients of their e-juices, and low-quality e-cig models can mix plastic or paint with vapor, posing additional risks.
7 Hidden Warning Signs That Your Kid is Vaping
Here are some subtle signs that mean your teenager might be vaping secretly:
- Mystic Aroma: E-liquids often have flavors like candy, mint, or fruit punch. If you smell these scents around your kid but none of these products are in sight, it could be a red flag.
- Unfamiliar Handheld Gadgets: E-cigarettes come in shapes that resemble pens or USB sticks. If you find unusual gadgets around the house, it might be worth investigating further.
- Increased Thirstiness: The chemical properties of PG (propylene glycol) in e-liquids attract water molecules, causing dryness in the mouth. If your child seems extra thirsty, they might be vaping.
- Caffeine Sensitivity: Vapers can become more sensitive to caffeine. If your kid suddenly stops drinking coffee or energy drinks, vaping might be the cause.
- Batteries and Chargers: If you see unfamiliar batteries on the charger or around your child’s room, check for possible vaping devices.
- Metallic Wires and Cotton Wicks: Finding organic cotton, empty plastic vials, or thin metallic coils in your child’s room could indicate vaping.
- Discarded Atomizers: If you come across discarded atomizers, which are part of e-cigarettes, it’s a clear sign that your child has been vaping.
How to Take Charge of the Situation
If you find out or suspect that your child is vaping, don’t panic. Take charge of the situation and help them walk out of this addiction. Here are some general guidelines:
- Keep Your Vaping Gear Out of Reach: Be a responsible parent and make sure your vaping gear is not accessible to your child. E-liquids may contain nicotine, which is poisonous if ingested.
- Deglamorize Vaping: E-cigs and vaping gear look sleek and interesting, but it’s important not to glamorize vaping in front of your kids. Explain that you use e-cigs to quit smoking, and try to de-emphasize the act of vaping.
- Talk to Your Kid About the Risks of Vaping: Tell your child how nicotine addiction and health risks can affect their future. Play it casual, and be the message yourself — if you don’t want them to vape, don’t vape yourself.
By staying informed and having open conversations, you can help ensure that your child stays away from vaping and the risks associated with nicotine.
