Parenting tools for kids and vaping

Technology seems to have impacted everything. From social media, to homework, to additional illegal substances that children may get involved with. In this post we are going to talk about vaping and kids. How can you as parents help educate and protect your children from e-cigarettes.  If you are struggling with a particularly troubled teen or child, you can also book in a psychologist appointment. A neutral and professional session can help provide you with additional tools to protect our child.

• What is vaping?

Vaping, or e cigarettes are electronic devices that heat up liquid oils or nicotine for recreational use. In many countries in the world, vaping is still illegal as the potential dangers of inhaling heated up steam has not been adequately investigated. In Australia, non-nicotine flavoured liquids are available for sale. While it is positive that there is no nicotine to foster a nicotine addiction. The flavoured liquid options do however present a danger to children. Bubble gum, lemon, or watermelon flavours are all enticing to kids. While cigarettes at least had the repellent of strong tobacco smell, vapes are tasty and virtually undetectable.

• Are vapes dangerous?

E liquids used in vapes can poison both children and adults through swallowing or skin contact. Symptoms of nicotine or liquid poisoning include sweating, dizziness, vomiting and increased heart rate. It is not recommended to vape around children or teenagers. This is because the vapour coming from the e cigarettes may be harmful to kids.  Nicotine vapes need to be kept away from kids as they can create a dependency on nicotine. As we know, nicotine is highly addictive. Non nicotine vapes however, can also be a gateway to smoking other substances.

• How can you protect your kids from vaping?

The best thing you can do to protect your children from vaping is to not vape around them and educate them on the dangers.  Having open and honest conversations about addiction, impacts of nicotine, and dangerous of vapours are all topics that should be discussed. If you do not feel confident chatting about these issues, professionals or teachers at school can also help. An open dialogue and leading by example are the most impactful method of helping your children.

• How can you tell if your child vapes?

Unfortunately, unlike cigarettes vaping is almost undetectable. However, vapes and e cigarettes are quite expensive therefore you may notice if you provide your child pocket money. Vapes also require charging and liquid bottles. Therefore, those are all parts you may say on the lookout for. 

• What should you do if your child is addicted?

If you find out your child has been vaping or smoking, consider starting up the dialogue. It’s better to have the addiction and danger conversation late than never. If you feel out of your depth, or addiction and lying has already begun. Then you may want to employ the help of a professional. Psychologists specialising in children and teenagers may be best equipped to chat to your child. You can also attend sessions to gain additional tools to support your child. If you have any other questions. Feel free to contact us at Voxen counselling.