Messages from Drug Free Charlotte County

Your Teen Is Vaping: What Should You Do Next?

Do you have a teen who you just found out is vaping? Or are you worried that your teen may start vaping?

If so, my hope is that this article will help you navigate the topic, keep communication open, and work through some of the next steps you can take.

Stay Calm

If you have just found out that your teen is vaping, the first thing to do is stay calm. Even if you need to step away for a little while and take some deep breaths, give yourself time to process what you have learned.

It is important not to overreact. A strong reaction can cause your teen to shut down or become less likely to come to you when they are dealing with other difficult situations in the future.

As difficult as it may sound, you can also look at this as an opportunity—not only to help your child, but to strengthen your relationship and communication with them.

Timing Is Everything

Yes, the conversation needs to happen, but it may not need to happen the minute you find out.

Think about a time when you are both relatively relaxed and not at the end of a difficult day. Maybe it is during a meal, while taking a walk, or during another time when you naturally have an opportunity to talk.

Be aware of the audience as well. Your teen may not feel comfortable having this conversation around siblings, friends, or other people.

If your teen is not vaping, you can also use natural, age-appropriate conversations to talk about vaping and help them understand the risks before they are faced with the decision themselves.

Listen

This is a conversation that requires a lot of listening—not just talking.

Try asking open-ended questions instead of questions that can be answered with just “yes” or “no.” You might ask:

- “What do your friends think about vaping?”
- “What makes you want to vape?”
- “How did you first get started?”
- “What do you like or dislike about it?”
- “Do you feel like it is difficult to stop?”

The goal is not to interrogate your teen. You are trying to understand what is happening in their world.

Learning more about why your teen is vaping can help you understand what kind of support they may need. It may also help you identify things such as peer pressure, stress, or other challenges that could be contributing to their vaping.

Most importantly, try not to interrupt or immediately correct them while they are talking. Listen first. You can always have a second conversation later.

Know the Facts

When you talk with your teen about vaping, it is important to provide accurate, current information.

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can affect the developing brain, including areas involved in attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes can also contain harmful substances.

It is also important to understand that nicotine dependence can make stopping difficult. If your teen says they are having a hard time quitting, take that seriously. They may need support rather than simply being told to stop.

Because information and products can change over time, make sure you are using reliable, up-to-date sources when talking with your teen.

Set Clear Expectations

It is important to set clear family expectations around vaping.

Let your teen know that you do not approve of vaping and explain the boundaries you have established. If there are consequences for breaking those rules, make sure they are realistic, appropriate, and something you can consistently follow through with.

Try to keep the focus on helping your teen make healthy choices rather than using consequences simply to punish them.

Get Help

If your teen is struggling with nicotine dependence or having difficulty stopping, you do not have to figure it out on your own.

Start by talking with your child's pediatrician or other healthcare professional about the best way to support your teen.

If you are in Florida, Tobacco Free Florida also offers Live Vape Free, a program designed to provide teens and the adults supporting them with information, tools, and resources related to quitting vaping.

Tobacco Free Florida Website

Remember: Keep the Door Open

Finding out that your teen is vaping can be upsetting, frustrating, or even scary. But your response can make a difference.

Your teen needs to know that you take vaping seriously while also knowing that they can talk to you about what is going on.

You may not solve everything in one conversation—and that's okay.

Keep listening. Keep talking. Keep the door open. 

-Jennifer Powell

 Prevention Services Manager

 Drug Free Charlotte County