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What do they look like?
What do they look like?
E-cigarettes and vape devices come in a number of forms. While some resemble tobacco products, others resemble household objects like USB devices, pens, highlighters, and chargers. Vaping devices like Puff Bar are designed for one-time use and are now disposable.
What are the statistics on vaping?
What are the statistics on vaping?
A study released in October 2022 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 2.55 million U.S. middle and high school students reported current (past 30-day) e-cigarette use in 2022, which includes 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students. Nearly 85% of those youth used flavored e-cigarettes and more than half used disposable e-cigarettes.
What is vaping?
What is vaping?
Vaping involves inhaling “e-juice” in the form of aerosol produced by an electronic cigarette or vape device. The aerosols typically contain flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals. Vape cartridges or “pods” can also be filled with THC, CBD or other “e-juice.”
Why are kids trying it?
Why are kids trying it?
Good kids vape, too. Peer pressure and managing stress are some of the main reasons that kids start vaping, even "high-achievers". And as kids learn about how it makes them feel, they become addicted and use it to cope with stress, anxiety or social situations. Some other reasons kids experiment with e-cigarettes include:
Rebelliousness/independence
Misinformation
Social media influence
Close family or friend influence
Smoke tricks or interest in marijuana
What do I look for? How do I know?
What do I look for? How do I know?
When trying to determine if your child is vaping, it's essential to look for various signs and clues. However, keep in mind that these signs may also be indicative of other issues, so it's important to approach the situation with an open and non-judgmental attitude. Here are some things to look for:
Unusual Odors: Vaping can produce distinctive scents. Be on the lookout for unusual smells like sweet or fruity fragrances or the scent of burnt popcorn.
Physical Symptoms: Vaping can lead to physical symptoms like coughing, throat irritation, nosebleeds, and increased thirst. These may be signs of vaping-related health issues.
Changes in Behavior: Pay attention to any sudden changes in your child's behavior, such as increased irritability, anxiety, or mood swings. Vaping can affect a teenager's emotional well-being.
Hidden or Unfamiliar Devices: Look for unfamiliar or secretive electronic devices like vape pens, e-cigarettes, or vape mods. They may try to conceal these in their belongings.
Empty or Discarded Pods: Find discarded vaping pods, cartridges, or packaging in your child's room or belongings. This is a clear indicator that they may be vaping.
Frequent Thirst: Vaping can lead to dehydration, so if your child is frequently drinking more water than usual, it could be a sign of vaping.
Frequent Sips and Snacks: Vaping can lead to a craving for flavors, which may result in frequent sips of drinks or snacking to mask the taste of vaping.
Changes in Friends: Observe if your child's social circle has changed, especially if they have started hanging out with peers who are known to vape.
Online Activity: Monitor your child's online activity, including their social media accounts and browsing history, for any evidence of vaping-related content or discussions.
Academic or Extracurricular Decline: A drop in academic performance or a loss of interest in extracurricular activities could be related to vaping.
Unexplained Charging: If you find USB chargers or cables that don't match any of your devices, it may be used to charge vaping equipment.
Frequent Excuses: Listen for excuses that may seem suspicious, such as needing to go outside for "fresh air" or visit the bathroom frequently.
Stash Spots: Teens may hide their vaping devices and supplies in clever places, like inside books, behind furniture, or in backpack pockets.
Health Issues: Pay attention to any unusual health issues, such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or frequent headaches.
Poor Oral Health: Vaping can lead to oral health problems. Look for signs like bad breath, teeth discoloration, or gum issues.
What are the dangers?
What are the dangers?
The use of e-cigarettes (vapes) is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults.
Most vapes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.
Vapes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
Young people who use vapes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
The dangers of vaping include lung and other organ damage, breathing problems, addiction, and more. People tend to think of vaping as “safer” than smoking, but it’s not safe.
Problems vaping causes include:
Asthma. Vaping can make you more likely to get asthma and other lung conditions. It can make your existing asthma worse.
Lung scarring. Diacetyl, a chemical used in some flavorings, can cause bronchiolitis obliterans (“popcorn lung”). Bronchiolitis obliterans causes permanent scarring in your lungs.
Organ damage. In addition to your lungs, nicotine and other substances in e-liquid can hurt your heart and brain. We know nicotine can hurt brain development, raise your blood pressure, and narrow your arteries.
EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury). EVALI is a serious lung condition that vaping causes. It causes widespread damage to your lungs and gives you symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. EVALI can be fatal.
Addiction. Nicotine is highly addictive. It causes changes in your brain so you want more and more nicotine. You might not be able to stop vaping if you want to or if it starts causing health problems. Even e-liquids that say they’re nicotine-free have small amounts of nicotine.
Cigarette smoking. Many people start out vaping and end up smoking cigarettes, which contain higher amounts of harmful chemicals.
Second-hand exposure. Vaping doesn’t make smoke, but people around you are exposed to nicotine and other chemicals when you vape.
Explosions. There have been incidents of batteries in vaping devices exploding and causing serious injuries and burns.
Cancer. Some ingredients in e-liquids are known to cause cancer.
***Read more about the dangers and risks at Know the Risks, CDC, and Cleveland Clinic.
How do I How Talk to My Child About Vaping?
How do I How Talk to My Child About Vaping?
Talking to your child about vaping can be a sensitive and important conversation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach this topic:
Choose the Right Time and Place:
Find a comfortable, private setting where you can have an open and uninterrupted conversation.
Pick a time when both you and your child are relaxed and not distracted by other obligations.
Educate Yourself:
Before the conversation, gather information about vaping and its risks. You should be well-informed to answer any questions your child may have.
Express Your Concern:
Start the conversation by expressing your genuine concern for their well-being. Let them know you care about their health and future.
Listen Actively:
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about vaping. Listen attentively without interrupting or passing judgment.
Provide Accurate Information:
Share facts about vaping, including the health risks associated with it. Use credible sources to support your points.
Avoid Blame and Accusations:
Instead of accusing your child of vaping, approach the conversation with empathy and understanding. Avoid using a confrontational tone.
Ask Open-Ended Questions:
Encourage your child to share their perspective by asking open-ended questions. For example, "What do you know about vaping?" or "Have you seen people at school vaping?"
Discuss Peer Pressure:
Talk about the influence of peer pressure and how it can lead to vaping. Help your child understand the importance of making their own choices.
Set Clear Expectations:
Clearly communicate your family's rules and expectations regarding vaping. Make it known that you do not condone or tolerate vaping.
Share Real-Life Stories:
Share stories or examples of people who have faced health problems or addiction due to vaping. Personal stories can be impactful.
Offer Support and Alternatives:
Let your child know that you are there to support them in making healthy choices. Discuss alternative ways to cope with stress or peer pressure.
Highlight the Legal Consequences:
Depending on your child's age, mention the legal consequences of underage vaping, which can include fines and other penalties.
Be Patient and Non-Judgmental:
Keep in mind that your child may not be ready to quit immediately. Be patient and non-judgmental if they admit to vaping or express a desire to quit.
Encourage Questions and Continued Dialogue:
Let your child know that they can always come to you with questions or concerns. Encourage an ongoing dialogue about vaping.
Stay Informed Together:
Make a commitment to stay informed about vaping trends and research. Share information you come across to keep the conversation ongoing.
***Remember that this is a complex issue, and your child may need time to process the information and make decisions. Keep the lines of communication open and offer your support as they navigate the challenges of adolescence.
What do I do if my child needs help?
What do I do if my child needs help?
Mental Health Supports
School Based-Therapy (SBT) and Community Support
School-based therapy is therapy that occurs at school, during the school day with a mental health therapist from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Many community supports are also available (therapy, medication management, etc.)
Call or email your school building’s Prevention and Wellness Designer for more information.
Local Drug & Alcohol Assessment Options
Offers programs for teens struggling with behavioral health issues.
Phone: 513.792.1272
Solutions Community Counseling and Recovery Centers
A non-profit behavioral health organization
Walk-in appointments available Monday-Thursday 12:30-2:30 at the Kingsview (Lebanon), Springboro, and Wilmington locations.
Phone: 513.228.7800
An organization that empowers individuals to live a healthy, safe, and productive life.
Phone: 513.281.2273
Additional Online Resources:
Additional Online Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC offers a dedicated section on their website with information about e-cigarettes and vaping. It provides facts, statistics, and resources for parents and families.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: This organization provides resources and information to help families prevent and address youth vaping and tobacco use. They offer fact sheets, toolkits, and advocacy resources.
American Lung Association: The American Lung Association has educational materials and resources on vaping, including tips for parents and families to address the issue.
Smokefree.gov: This U.S. government website provides resources and support for quitting tobacco and vaping. It includes information for both teens and parents.
Truth Initiative: Truth Initiative focuses on preventing youth smoking and vaping. They offer resources, campaigns, and tools to help parents and caregivers address the issue.
We're always here to help!
We're always here to help!
Reach out to your child's school counselor or teacher for specific strategies and resources tailored to your child's needs.
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