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Kids are curious, and they’re paying attention—especially when it comes to tobacco. At Parents Lead, we provide parents and caregivers with the tools to have open, honest conversations about the risks of tobacco use, including vaping and e-cigarettes.
Our resources are designed to help you share accurate information, set clear expectations, and empower your child to make healthy choices. By starting the conversation early and keeping it ongoing, you can help your child navigate peer pressure and understand the long-term impact of tobacco use.
Answer their Questions
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Answer their Questions
Why don’t you want me to vape?
- Vapes contain harmful ingredients. Science shows that vapes have addictive substances, like nicotine, that can harm your body.
- Your brain is still developing. Until about age 25, your brain is growing and changing, which makes it easier to get addicted. Nicotine can interfere with brain development, affecting things like learning and impulse control.
- Nicotine addiction is stressful. Craving nicotine can lead to feelings of anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating or sleeping. I don’t want you to experience that kind of stress.
- Vaping can harm your lungs. Vape products release tiny particles that can damage your lungs when inhaled.
- Secondhand vape exposure is risky. The cloud from vaping contains chemicals that aren’t safe to breathe. I know you care about your friends and family, and vaping around them could put them at risk.
What’s the big deal about nicotine?
- Nicotine can harm your developing brain. Your brain continues to develop until about age 25. Using nicotine during this time can make it harder to concentrate, learn, and control impulses.
- It increases addiction risk. Nicotine can rewire your brain, making you more susceptible to addiction to other drugs.
- Nicotine addiction adds stress. Over time, your brain may start to rely on nicotine just to feel normal. Quitting can cause withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and strong cravings.
- Vaping is expensive. Think of all the other ways you could use your money.
- I want you to have the facts. I’m not trying to scare you—I just want you to be safe and healthy.
I thought vape products were just water and flavoring?
- That’s a common myth. Many people think it’s just harmless water vapor, but most vape products contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals, including some linked to cancer.
- Let’s learn together. If you want, we can look up credible sources to learn more about what’s actually in vape products.
Aren’t vapes safer than regular cigarettes?
- Nicotine is unsafe at any age. Your brain is still developing, and using any tobacco product, including vapes, poses risks.
- Vapes aren’t risk-free. Whether from a vape or a cigarette, nicotine is addictive and harmful.
- Safety concerns. Some vape device batteries have exploded, causing serious injuries.
I (or my friends) tried vaping, and it was no big deal.
- Thanks for being honest. I appreciate your openness, and I hope you’ll think twice about trying it again. Vapes contain harmful, addictive ingredients that can impact your health.
- Not everyone is vaping. Although it might seem like it, most young people don’t vape or use tobacco. In fact, many who try it want to quit.
- Let’s get the facts. We can look up reliable information about the health effects of vaping.
- Ask a professional. During your next checkup, we can ask the doctor what they think about vaping and nicotine.
You used tobacco, so why shouldn’t I?
- I made a mistake. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have started smoking. I learned the hard way that smoking increases the risk of serious health problems.
- Quitting was difficult. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I don’t want you to go through that. The easiest way to avoid addiction is to never start.