Do you vape around your kids?

[Doberz]

I know they say the vapor is non harmful to others around you, but do you still feel comfortable vaping around your children? I for one, don't. I was a pack a day smoker for 12 years and my kids are 9 years old. I have never even smoked a cigarette in front of them and they have no idea I've ever smoked. I have always been able to control my smoking when I'm around them. And would only have a smoke when I could sneak away to the garage when they are eating lunch or playing a video game. With vaping, I go upstairs or in the laundry room to vap. If were at the park or out riding bikes, I'll let them get ahead of me a little bit and then sneak a couple puffs off my ego.

It's not that I don't want my kids to know I smoke/vap, it's that I would feel horrible doing it around them. When I was a kid my Dad would always smoke around me. And I found myself trying them at a very young age (around 12-13 years old). I don't blame him for my smoking, but I do know I wouldn't have had as much of an urge to try them if I didn't see him smoking all the time, and his packs of cigarettes weren't just laying around on the table.

This thread isn't meant to judge anyone, or start any form of argument. It is because I am curious to how others feel about their vaping/smoking habits, and how they go about it with children in the house.

 

[Kythcat]

I smoked around my kids, and while I was pregnant with them. Yes, it's a bad thing to do. I started because I watched my dad smoke around me. Like you, I'm not blaming him for me starting to smoke. It was MY choice to start when I was 12.

Just last month I got a pv. My youngest told me she could do without any extras and to go ahead and get it. She just wants the stinky analogs out of the house. There has been arguments over those, but this way, we both feel that it would be better for everyone in the house plus guests. There is a long history as to why I smoke in the house. Not something I feel comfortable talking about yet on here.

Now, my youngest and I are having arguments over which flavor I should vape. I'm not sure if I'm ready to try the flavors yet, but she is dying for me to vape cotton candy flavor. We both have read rumors (on this board, of course) that non-vaping folks can smell the flavors when they are being vaped.

 

[Shel]

This thread isn't meant to judge anyone, or start any form of argument. It is because I am curious to how others feel about their vaping/smoking habits, and how they go about it with children in the house.

I vap around my kids... ages 5, 10 and 11.

I also smoked around them, but only outdooors, and I never smoked in our home, I'd always go out on the balcony. Now, I do vap in my bedroom and in front of them.

Both of my parents smoked, and they both quit years ago (30+).

My 10 year old would always tell my wife that she hates that I smoke, and cough, and wishes that I'd stop. Her face lit up yesterday, when I pointed out to her that I hadn't had a cig in over two weeks! She (and my wife, for that matter) hadn't noticed that I'd stopped smoking, and was ONLY vaping! (I've been vaping for six months, but continued to smoke analogs...)

I try to be totally honest with my kids. Kids are smart... no offense, but if you think your kids don't know that you're "hanging back" and taking a few drags, or that you "disappear" for a few minutes, then return, and that you are smoking, I'd bet that you're mistaken. Do they know EVERY TIME when you take a drag? No, of course not.

Do they not know that you do smoke? I'd be willing to bet that they do know. The smell, the quick disappearances, then returns....

I've explained to my children that I started smoking years ago, that I HATE it, and want to quit. I also explained that it's a very difficult habit to break, and that they should never take it up. Will they? Maybe. Maybe one will, and two won't... who knows? My two siblings absolulty HATE cigarettes, never touched one in their lives, and always made it perfectly clear what an idiot they felt I was, while I was smoking.

We grew up in the same home... one of us grew up to smoke, two of us didn't. Same environment.

However, trust between my kids and myself is, in my opinion, critical. I try to never lie or decieve them. There are things they don't need to know about, but things they do know about, I try and be honest with them.

My personal opinion... and believe me, I've been wrong before.

We all do the best we can.

 

[wv2win]

I just can't see how exhaled vapor is in any way harmful to anyone from my own observation and the reports I have read. I can see how someone might not want their kids to think that vaping is an OK hobby to start. However, "hiding" it from them might not be the best practice. Would that send the message as they grow older that "hiding" things from you is OK? I'm not sure what the right answer is but just something to think about.

 

[Shel]

Now, my youngest and I are having arguments over which flavor I should vape. I'm not sure if I'm ready to try the flavors yet, but she is dying for me to vape cotton candy flavor. We both have read rumors (on this board, of course) that non-vaping folks can smell the flavors when they are being vaped.

Thanks!
You MADE my morning!

My wife (who is a non-smoker and is thrilled that I vap) also says some juice has a bad smell. She hates snickerdoodle, while I LOVE vaping it!

I'm currently on a search for the perfect smelling juice, for when we are on a long drive. Hey, it's a tough mission, but somebodies got to do it! It requires me to constantly order and sample NUMEROUS different flavored juices... Green Apple.... strawberry... Apple Pie... Cheesecake Brownies.... hey, it's a tough job, but I'm that kind of a husband!

Thanks again for your post, and good luck to you and your daughter.

Oh... and let us know how that "cotton candy" juice is!

 

[Curlygirl27]

My stepkids all know that I smoke(d). My husband and I never smoked in the house but outside was fair game. The kids are older (16, 17, 18) so are not exactly little anymore... now that I vape I do it in the house when i am on the computer... and i still do it outside and in the car, etc. My husband is a pretty heavy smoker and I am trying to show him that vaping is just so much better... and the kids are generally there when we have these discussions. Two of the children slready smoke (since before I came on the scene- we do not encourage or assist them in this either, quite the opposite) and in my mind I feel it is a good thing for them to see that there are less- harmful alternatives.

 

[Jammin]

I smoked around my kids, and while I was pregnant with them. Yes, it's a bad thing to do. I started because I watched my dad smoke around me. Like you, I'm not blaming him for me starting to smoke. It was MY choice to start when I was 12.

Just last month I got a pv. My youngest told me she could do without any extras and to go ahead and get it. She just wants the stinky analogs out of the house. There has been arguments over those, but this way, we both feel that it would be better for everyone in the house plus guests. There is a long history as to why I smoke in the house. Not something I feel comfortable talking about yet on here.

Now, my youngest and I are having arguments over which flavor I should vape. I'm not sure if I'm ready to try the flavors yet, but she is dying for me to vape cotton candy flavor. We both have read rumors (on this board, of course) that non-vaping folks can smell the flavors when they are being vaped.

Wow.

__________________

 

[Doberz]

I'm not exactly hiding it, I just never felt comfortable smoking around them, so I never have around them. When I did sneak off, I would come back inside, wash my hands and face, spray a little Axe on me, and chew a piece of gum. I have wanted to tell them in the past, but I always figured why? They are really smart kids, and if they asked me about it, I would definitely tell them about it, and how much I've struggled with it over the years. When they were first born, I always swore I'd quit before they were old enough to even know what smoking is... But we all know how that goes, it's rough. But yeah, I'm not "hiding" it, I just don't see a real reason to tell them about it.

 

[banjo]

I do vape around my kids, but they are 45 & 48 years old............

 

[Jammin]

I'm not exactly hiding it, I just never felt comfortable smoking around them, so I never have around them. When I did sneak off, I would come back inside, wash my hands and face, spray a little Axe on me, and chew a piece of gum. I have wanted to tell them in the past, but I always figured why? They are really smart kids, and if they asked me about it, I would definitely tell them about it, and how much I've struggled with it over the years. When they were first born, I always swore I'd quit before they were old enough to even know what smoking is... But we all know how that goes, it's rough. But yeah, I'm not "hiding" it, I just don't see a real reason to tell them about it.

I find this very admirable that you are this considerate of your young children. It seems to me more like being 'considerate' than hiding anything.

 

[mudboy]

I have smoked around my kids. My girl smoked when she was pregnant all of them are fine. I know it aint right but what We do is no one's business really. The roofed areas at airports with hundreds of running cabs and buses consist of more toxins than a cigarette. Air quality in most US cities isn't the best either but I don't see everyone moving to the country over it. Even a doctor will tell a pregnant women not to quit cold turkey or even at all if it's to stressful due to the fact that the stress alone brings on a higher chance of a miscarriage and is bad for the baby alone. i will say she cut back during both pregnancys but didn't completely quit. All in all yes I vape around my kids.

 

[Eric.MD]

My opinion is this: if your kids know Santa isn't real, then keep your vaping out of sight. Once they get to the age where they know the Easter bunny is a fairy tale and it was YOU putting money under their pillow in exchange for teeth, its time to get honest. My thought is this: kids are smart, they will eventually find you out, and if you have been hiding something, it creates trust issues and will rob you of an opportunity to teach them. I would want my kids to understand that vaping is something for adults only, and that smoking is something very different and bad. It might even help to use one of the bigger box mods, to give an obvious visual difference between your PV and a cigarette. At the end of the day, if my kids are going to end up being stupid like I was, I would much rather they vape than smoke.

 

[JonnyVapΣ]

I just can't see how exhaled vapor is in any way harmful to anyone from my own observation and the reports I have read.

If you vape juice with nicotine then there is nicotine being exhaled. Let's not kid ourselves here. If there's something being exhaled then there's something there. Less harmful, yes. Harmless? No.

That being said, I smoked in my house and around my kids (son 3 and daughter 17). Never smoked "at them", though. Always made sure they were out of my office if I had a cigarette (somehow bull....ting myself that that was less harmful). At any rate, I don't vape in close proximity to my kids. I also don't hide it. I also don't live in denial. My daughter is 17. If she hasn't tried a cigarette yet it's probably only a matter of time (if not, then huge hugs). I'm also glad she has shown support in my switching to electronic cigarettes. At the very least if she does decide to pick up a dirty habit "because all her friends are doing it" she just may pick up an e-cig instead and, better yet, at 0mg. She's has tried the wife's 0mg already and if that's as far as it goes I'm fine with it.

 

[Doberz]

My kids still believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny.

I know I will eventually tell them about my vaping, and my smoking past. By the time they enter Middle School I will definitely be having that talk with them (that's when I started smoking, and I know that's when they will have friends and people in their class that smoke). I keep all of my vaping supplies in a locked up safe, because I always worry they will come across them. I have told them about the e liquid bottles though.. Not what they are used for, but I explained to them that if they ever come across any form of small bottle (I showed them a few different ones so they would understand) to not touch it, and especially not to taste or drink it. Even if it says some candy flavor on it and smells good. They know it will hurt them and they will end up in the ER. I told them to come straight to me and I would get it. I know my kids well enough to know that they will do just that if they did ever see one in the house.

 

[t9c]

Eric.MD: That sounds reasonable and well thought out. There is no black or white on the subject and as always, quality time communicating to your kids is the best thing you can do.

 

[shanagan]

Thanks!
You MADE my morning!

My wife (who is a non-smoker and is thrilled that I vap) also says some juice has a bad smell. She hates snickerdoodle, while I LOVE vaping it!

I'm currently on a search for the perfect smelling juice, for when we are on a long drive. Hey, it's a tough mission, but somebodies got to do it! It requires me to constantly order and sample NUMEROUS different flavored juices... Green Apple.... strawberry... Apple Pie... Cheesecake Brownies.... hey, it's a tough job, but I'm that kind of a husband!

Thanks again for your post, and good luck to you and your daughter.

Oh... and let us know how that "cotton candy" juice is!

Goodness, try strawberry or peach from BWB for that road trip. They smell amazing on exhale, and everyone who's walked into my house during the strawberry vaping says something to the effect of "That smells amazing? What are you baking???"

 

[sbphotog]

My daughter is 7 and knows I vape. I vape around her but I don't blow the vapor towards her. She's glad that I'm vaping instead of smoking (she calls it vapering,lol.). She's happy I don't stink anymore

 

[salemgold]

I never smoked around children or indoors so I do not vape around my 2 year old grandson or my parrots indoors. I do not hide it but I just don't do it indoors I guess is my point.

 

[sherid]

I've known a few closet smokers and I never understood why anyone would do that. The mother of one of my daughter's friends always smoked and always hid it from her kids. To me, that is the height of deceit. What happens when/if you come down with a "smoking-related" disease? Not only is the cat out of the bag, but now the kids know you lied by omission for all those years. If I were the kid, I would feel betrayed. I've always been open about all of my faults. Neither of my kids (21 and 17) have ever smoked a cigarette. Neither has ever preached the gospel of anti-smoking either. Both kids choose not to smoke, not because I did, but because they don't want to spend money on cigarettes.

 

[JonnyVapΣ]

I never smoked around children or indoors so I do not vape around my 2 year old grandson or my parrots indoors. I just don't want to take any chances until more studies are done.

That's a very valid answer. But...here in Rottenchester, NY it can be -4F with blizzards. Not gonna stand outside when I have a nice warm house...LOL. Yep....more denial there.

Speaking of parrots, my Peachface used to take the butts out of my ash trays and throw them at me or stuff them in my hair. I think he was trying to tell me something (besides "I wanna get out").