E-CIGARETTES AND VAPING IN CHILDREN 2

INTRODUCTION

E-cigarettes (E-Cigs) or Electronic Cigarettes are devices that heat a liquid (E-liquid, which mainly contains nicotine) to produce aerosols that the user inhales.

Vaping is the act of using E-Cigs.

RISKS OF E-CIGARETTE USE IN CHILDREN

. Risk of addiction: Adolescents are more easily addicted to nicotine than adults. The growing brain learns new skills and forms newer brain connections faster than adults, making getting addicted much easier.

. Adolescents tend to take more health risks than adults due to the immaturity of the area of their brain in charge of impulse control and decision-making.

What can you and I do as parents or guardians of Kids and Teens to prevent E-cigarette use? Where can you learn more?

PREVENTION OF E-CIGARETTE USE IN CHILDREN

As a parent, learn all the facts about e-cigarettes and vaping you can from reliable sources. (e.g. E-cigarettes.SurgeonGeneral.gov )
Children often follow what you do, NOT what you say, so you must model a positive example by being tobacco-free. Don’t start smoking, and if you are currently smoking, it is never too late to QUIT.
Start the conversation early with your pre-teens and teens about e-cigarettes, Vaping, and the harms associated with their use. Do not make assumptions that your child is not being exposed to information about these from social media, the internet, and most especially, peers.
Take the time to listen to your child and encourage open dialogue. This discussion is not the time to lecture your child.
Answer any questions your child may have.
Remind and repeat the information to your child on e-cigarettes, their harmful effects, and prevention.
Have your child’s healthcare provider discuss this if this still needs to be done.
As a parent, get involved in your child’s school and ensure the teachers and school administrators are educating the students and enforcing tobacco-free grounds policies and curriculum in the school.

NICOTINE ADDICTION AND WITHDRAWAL

Nicotine is found in most e-cigarettes, hence the need to discuss this here.

What is Nicotine addiction?

Nicotine addiction is a complex, compulsive, and chronic need to use nicotine, even with its well-researched and documented harmful effects. If your child answers yes to any of the questions below, your child may be addicted to vaping.

Do you continue to vape even though you want to quit or think it’s hurting you in some way?
Do you feel anxious or irritable when you want to use your vape but can’t?
Do thoughts about vaping interrupt you when you are focused on other activities?
Do you still vape after getting in trouble with your parents or school for vaping?
Have you ever tried to quit vaping but couldn’t?
Do you feel like you have lost control over your vaping?

(https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping/vaping-addiction-nicotine-withdrawal)

Nicotine withdrawal occurs when one is trying to stop its use. It presents various symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, jitteriness, feeling sad, anxiety, fatigue, trouble concentrating, trouble thinking clearly, sleep difficulties, feeling hungry all the time, and intense cravings for e-cigarettes.

QUIT E-CIGARETTE USE OR VAPING

If your child is already using E-cigs or Vapes, here are some steps to help them quit. Please encourage your child to buy into quitting vaping to make them more likely to be successful.

. Encourage your child to make a plan to quit (https://teen.smokefree.gov/become-smokefree), and this will entail:

Have a specific date to stop vaping.
Estimate how much this habit costs.
Document clear reasons why quitting this harmful habit is beneficial.
Document situations that trigger this behavior.
Choose strategies to manage these triggers
Choose support systems to help quit.

. Please encourage your child to talk with family, supportive friends, and their healthcare provider about their plans to quit.

. For the adolescent trying to quit, distance yourself from family and friends who do not support your decision to quit vaping.

. When vape cravings occur:

Redirect yourself by doing something else.
Stay well hydrated.
Get on a consistent sleep schedule.
Get more active breathing exercises.
Talk with supportive family, friends, or healthcare providers.
Chat with an expert.
Review the Vaping quit plan made earlier.

Also, consult with your child’s Doctor about nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

. Check your local resources for quitting vaping and use and access these for our child. The US has a free Tobacco Cessation Counselor helpline ( 1-877-44U-QUIT ) and a chat line ( National Cancer Institute’s LiveHelp service).

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/tobacco-control-and-prevention/youth-tobacco-cessation/behavioral-cessation-supports-for-youth

https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/knowtherisks.html

https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping

Remain Smoke-free

Quit smoking

Till next time.