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A Guide for Parents to Talk to Their Children

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A Guide for Parents to Talk to Their Children

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A Tip Sheet for Talking to Teens about Vaping

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A Tip Sheet for Talking to Teens about Vaping

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This tip sheet is from the American Heart Association on how to talk to your kid(s) about vaping and the dangers it has on teens/young adults.

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Experts warn parents kids may be hiding vape pens, cannabis in plain sight

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The practice of using vaping devices to consume marijuana or cannabis products is becoming increasingly widespread. Recent data shows that more than one-fifth of high school seniors have reported vaping marijuana in the past year.[1] At the same time, one of the ingredients present in many marijuana vapes has been linked to a wave of illnesses and deaths impacting people of all ages across the U.S.

Unfortunately, these vaping-related injuries and mortalities are not the only reason parents and caregivers should be concerned about the risks teenagers and young adults face when they vape marijuana.

How it works

Just like nicotine vaping devices, marijuana vapes work by heating a liquid or oil that becomes a vapor the user inhales. Marijuana vaping devices often resemble vaping devices used for nicotine or other e-liquids. For example, PAX is a brand of marijuana vaporizers that closely resemble the popular JUUL devices. Those seeking to vape marijuana can also learn how to "hack" nicotine vapes to work with marijuana from countless YouTube videos and other online resources.

When teens vape marijuana they're putting two vital organs at risk: their brains and their lungs. The brain of an adolescent or young adult continues to grow and develop well into early adulthood, and is busy developing critical skills related to problem-solving, impulse control, anticipating consequences and more. Marijuana can get in the way of this crucial development.

It's important for parents and caregivers to note that marijuana may impact the brains of young people differently than it impacts the brains of fully mature adults. Long-lasting or permanent effects on the developing adolescent brain due to marijuana use may include:

Difficulty with critical thinking skills like attention, problem solving and memory

Impaired reaction time and coordination, especially as it relates to driving

Decline in school performance

Increased risk of mental health issues including depression or anxiety and, in some cases, psychosis where there is a family history of it

Research also shows that teens who use marijuana are twice as likely as adults to become addicted to it.

Several thousand lung injuries and deaths have also been associated with an illness linked to vaping devices containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and Vitamin E Acetate, a thickening agent sometimes added to the e-liquid.[2] Although the majority of marijuana vaping devices containing Vitamin E Acetate were bought through illegal channels, there have been several cases where the additive was identified in vaping products purchased from regulated marijuana dispensaries.

Symptoms of this vaping-related lung illness, also known as EVALI (E-cigarette, or Vaping, product use Associated Lung Injury), include:

Shortness of breath

Weight loss

Night sweats

Fatigue

Gastrointestinal problems

Low oxygen levels

Lung failure and death (in severe cases)

Download PDF

How to recognize if your child is vaping marijuana

Vaping can be difficult to detect as there is no smoke, minimal odor (although you may catch a whiff) and the vapor produced dissipates rapidly. However, just like smoking, vaping marijuana can result in bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and thirst, increased appetite and shifts in behavior and mood. Sometimes, there is a noticeable change in friends and a decrease in activities that were once enjoyed.

You may also find vaping paraphernalia such as devices that look like flash drives, gel jars that contain dabs, and pods or cartridges that contain THC oil. There's a lot of high-tech-looking equipment that can accompany vaping, so if you're not sure, it might be time to talk to your child about what you found.

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Vaping and Marijuana | The practice of using vaping devices to consume marijuana or cannabis products is becoming increasingly widespread

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Teens and young adults who want to quit vaping can join a quit program for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709

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Information from the American Heart Association regarding vaping including a video on how to start a conversation with your child.

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There is a vaping epidemic in this country, especially among teens. Every day, over 3,500 youths start vaping. In 2018 alone, the number of high school students who vape nearly doubled.

This is an emergency situation.

Join the fight! The American Heart Association is a relentless force against vaping. We're doing the important research, advocacy, and education to turn the tide on this dangerous epidemic. Your help is desperately needed. You can make a huge difference! Let's protect our children's health!

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Join the fight! The American Heart Association is a relentless force against vaping. We're doing the important research, advocacy, and education to turn the tide on this dangerous epidemic.

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Teens and young adults who want to quit vaping can join a quit program for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709

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Get 24/7 support on your smartphone. These free apps offer help based on your smoking patterns, moods, motivations, and goals.

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This is a texting program with great results for students who are looking for a way to quit vaping.

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How it works

Here's what some young people have to say about the program:

They are cool, they make me feel as if I'm not alone in this journey. - Anonymous, teen

They make it seem like there is a way out of addiction. - Chase, teen

It expresses the emotions of quitting from other people. - domlussier, teen

They're the one thing rooting for me to quit. - EG, teen

They're not super in your face. They serve as a quick "hey don't do the thing you're thinking about right now". - Cole, teen

They encourage me not to JUUL, they offer alternatives when I get a craving. I started going to the gym and working out instead of JUULing. - Scarlett, young adult

They remind me there's no room to turn back to something harmful. - Meredith, young adult

*Text STOP to opt-out. Expect 4 msgs/mo. No purchase necessary. Msg & Data Rates May Apply.

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The first-of-its-kind program to help young people quit vaping, This is Quitting gives youth and young adults the motivation and support they need to ditch JUUL and other e-cigarettes.

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From cigarettes, to hookahs, to vapes, see why there is no safe tobacco product.

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Tobacco and nicotine are found in more than just cigarettes. Learn more about different tobacco products and why there is no such thing as "safe" tobacco.

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Although vaping seems like a quick fix for anxiety, it can actually make your anxiety and depression worse. Look here for ways to help you cope without reaching for the vape.

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Stress and anxiety can trigger vape cravings, and make it harder for you to quit for good. You may be tempted to reach for your vape when you have these feelings, but vaping is not an effective way to cope. There are healthy and effective ways to deal with stress and anxiety.

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Stress and anxiety can trigger vape cravings. Learn how to handle feelings of stress and anxiety without vaping.

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What Is Vaping?

Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette ( e-cigarette) or other vaping device.

How Does Vaping Work?

E-cigarettes (or "vape pens") heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor, which is inhaled. The liquid (e-liquid or "vape juice") can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. E-cigarettes can be refillable or pre-filled with cartridges containing the e-liquid. The pre-filled e-cigarettes (called "Puff Bars") are designed for one-time use. After taking a certain number of "puffs," the user throws the device away.

What Are the Health Effects of Vaping?

The health risks of vaping include:

addiction: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that's highly addictive. You don't have to vape every day to get addicted.

anxiety and depression: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.

becoming a smoker: People who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future.

impotence: There is some evidence that vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men.

sleep problems

exposure to cancer-causing chemicals

chronic bronchitis

lung damage that can be life-threatening

Other health effects are possible that we don't yet know about. Vaping hasn't been around that long, so its health risks aren't all known.

Why Should I Quit?

Wanting to be the best, healthiest version of yourself is an important reason to quit vaping. Others include:

Addiction: Addiction in the growing brain may set up pathways for later addiction to other substances.

Brain risks: Nicotine affects your brain development. This can make it harder to learn and concentrate. Some of the brain changes are permanent and can affect your mood and ability to control your impulses as an adult.

Use of other tobacco products: Studies show that vaping makes it more likely that someone will try other tobacco products, like regular cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco.

Toxins (poisons): The vapor made from e-cigarettes is not made of water. The vapor contains harmful chemicals and very fine particles that are inhaled into the lungs and exhaled into the environment.

Sports: You want to do your best in sports, and vaping may lead to lung inflammation (irritation).

Money: Vaping is expensive! The cost of the cartridges over time starts to add up. Instead, you could spend that money on other things you need or enjoy.

To go against tobacco company advertising: Many e-cigarettes are made by the same companies that produce regular cigarettes. Their marketing targets young people by making fun flavors for e-cigarettes and showing young, healthy people vaping. They're trying to make you their next lifetime customer.

How Can I Quit?

Decide why you want to quit and write it down or put it in your phone. Look at the reason(s) when you feel the urge to vape.

Pick a day to stop vaping. Put it on the calendar and tell supportive friends and family that you're quitting on that day.

Get rid of all vaping supplies.

Download tools (such as apps and texting programs) to your phone that can help with cravings and give encouragement while you try to stop vaping. You can try:

Understand withdrawal. Nicotine addiction leads to very strong cravings for nicotine. It can also lead to:

feeling tired, cranky, angry, or depressed

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

hunger

restlessness

The signs of withdrawal are strongest in the first few days after stopping. They get better over the following days and weeks.

Get ready for feelings, people, and places that make you want to vape. If possible, avoid places and people that trigger the urge to vape. If you feel the urge to vape, try these things instead:

Chew sugar-free gum or drink water.

Text, call, or hang out with a friend who will support you.

Listen to your favorite playlist.

Go for a walk or jog.

Try yoga or meditation.

Take 10 deep breaths.

Keep your hands busy with a hobby, like drawing or making jewelry.

Go somewhere where smoking/vaping isn't allowed.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your doctor right away if you vape and have:

coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain

nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

tiredness, fever, or weight loss

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Vaping: What You Need to Know (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth

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E-cigarettes (or “vape pens”) heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor that’s inhaled. Vape juice can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. Here are the facts on vaping and its many health risks.

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Teens and young adults who want to quit vaping can join a quit program for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709