Vaping refers to inhaling the vapor produced by electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). It’s a popular pastime among teenagers.
By learning about vaping, parents can
- Inform their children about the health risks associated with it.
- Be aware of the possibility that their child may be using vape.
- Help your children who smoke.
How Does Vaping Work?
Electronic cigarettes (or “vape pens”) are used to heat liquids until it is a vapor that is then inhaled. The smoke (called”e-liquid” (also known as “vape juice”) can be a mixture of Nicotine, marijuana distillate, or oil. E-cigarettes can be refilled or pre-filled with cartridges that contain the liquid. E-cigarettes pre-filled (called “Puff Bars”) are made for use only once. After taking a specific amount of “puffs,” the user discards the device.
What Are the Health Risks of Vaping?
The health risks of smoking are as follows:
- Dependence: E-cigarettes contain Nicotine, an ingredient that is highly addictive. You don’t need to smoke every day to be addicted.
- Depression and anxiety Nicotine causes depression as well as depression more severe. It also impacts the ability to concentrate, memory, self-control, and attention, specifically in developing brains.
- Becoming smoking: Young people who vape are more likely to begin taking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and are more likely to develop addictions later on.
- Impermanence: Some evidence suggests that vaping may cause male sexual dysfunction.
- sleep issues
- Exposure to chemicals that cause cancer
- chronic chronic bronchitis
- Damaged lung that could be life-threatening
Other health issues are also possible that we’re not aware of. Vaping isn’t around for that a long time. Therefore, its health risks have yet to be entirely well-known.
How Do I Know If My Child Is Vaping?
Begin with asking the child non-judgmentally to see if they’ve ever had a go at vaping. It is essential to stimulate conversation rather than shutting it down. Even if you’re not sure your kids smoke, you should talk about it with them to let them know that it’s not healthy.
The signs of vaping are:
- New health concerns like wheezing or coughing
- Electronic cigarette accessories, such as cartridges or other items with a suspicious look
- New scents (some flavors are not allowed. However, others are found in marijuana and nicotine vapes – parents could be able to detect sweet or fruity aromas)
What Should I Do if My Child Vapes?
Your child will require your assistance and encouragement to stop. Help them discover the motivation they need to quit smoking. You may want to discuss:
- trying to be the most beautiful and healthiest version of themselves
- Not wanting to become hooked.
- Beware of health issues such as inability to perform sports and diminished performance.
- Not wanting to cause more depression or anxiety.
- Conserving money
- Opposing advertising that targets youngsters
Vaping is a method used by some to control their appetites. However, there’s no evidence that vaping aids in weight loss. If you believe this is why your child uses vapes or vapes, discuss healthy ways to maintain the ideal weight or lose weight with them.
How Can Kids and Teens Quit Vaping?
If you’re looking to quit, it may assist in:
- Find out why they wish to stop and record it in a notebook or save it on your phone. They can refer to the reason(s) whenever they are tempted to smoke.
- Choose a date to quit smoking. You can mark it on their calendar and then inform the family and friends who are supportive that they’ll be leaving the day.
- For sugar-free people, chewing sugar-free gum and lollipops may help them distract themselves from cravings.
- Eliminate all vaping equipment.
- Download apps (such as applications and texting applications) on their phones to help curb cravings and provide encouragement when they’re trying to quit smoking. The Truth Initiative’s This is Quitting SMS program, for instance, will help youngsters to quit smoking cigarettes. Smokefree.gov also offers free applications and other tools to help those quitting smoking or vaping.
- Learn about withdrawal. Nicotine addiction can cause intense cravings, especially the first few days following stopping. It can also cause anxiety, feeling tired and angry, grumpy or depressed; difficulty sleeping or concentrating, cravings for food; and even restlessness. These issues will get better over the next few weeks and days.
