Found vaping/E-cigs in my 13 year old sons bookbag , what concerns should i have if any?

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Grimwald

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Oh boy. First, if the e-liquid is 0% nicotine, then you're past the first hurdle. I would absolutely not tolerate any of my children under 18 using nicotine.

Second, I would be concerned with school rules and local laws. I doubt his vaping would pass muster with any of those rules. Also, I would wonder how he is buying his products.

Third, as has been mentioned, battery safety if he is going to continue.
 

Cheallaigh

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I'm a mom, and while both my boys are in their 20s now... I can understand. while vaping in general is considered less harmful than smoking, it was originally started as a way to quit smoking. I know in Canada and the US, legal age depending on the area is in the 18-21 range, so what he is doing is illegal no matter what. as others have pointed out there can be consequences for both him and you as the parent if caught. there is now competitive vaping, where they make clouds of vaper to do tricks with smoke rings etc (usually 0nicotine liquids) and that might be what has drawn him in. the others have highlighted the safety issue with the technically aspects between batteries and building these devices. I would suggest looking at some youtube videos, every generation has its idocy, and he's found the current one. I know it's rough, but I would try and find out who got him that kit or how he got it, and yes take it away. no child should be doing this, period.
 

bwh79

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For everyone saying what he's doing is "illegal" -- no it's probably not. Whoever sold him the device broke the law by doing so, but he's not breaking the law just by having it. It's illegal to sell so-called "tobacco products" to minors but, as far as I know, it's not actually illegal in most areas for them to simply possess them or use them.
 

speedy_r6

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For everyone saying what he's doing is "illegal" -- no it's probably not. Whoever sold him the device broke the law by doing so, but he's not breaking the law just by having it. It's illegal to sell so-called "tobacco products" to minors but, as far as I know, it's not actually illegal in most areas for them to simply possess them or use them.

Sorry. I was speaking for my state, Illinois, where it is illegal.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1962

(a-7) No minor under 18 years of age shall possess any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms.

(b) If a minor violates subsection (a-7) of Section 1 or subsection (d) of Section 1.5 he or she is guilty of a petty offense and the court may impose a sentence of 25 hours of community service and a fine of $50 for a first violation. If a minor violates subsection (a-6) of Section 1, he or she is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) A second violation by a minor of subsection (a-7) of Section 1 or subsection (d) of Section 1.5 that occurs within 12 months after the first violation is punishable by a fine of $75 and 50 hours of community service.
(d) A third or subsequent violation by a minor of subsection (a-7) of Section 1 or subsection (d) of Section 1.5 that occurs within 12 months after the first violation is punishable by a $200 fine and 50 hours of community service.
(e) Any second or subsequent violation not within the 12-month time period after the first violation is punishable as provided for a first violation.

Yes, the first time is merely a petty offense, but the fact remains that it is Illegal in Illinois.
 

Baditude

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For everyone saying what he's doing is "illegal" -- no it's probably not. Whoever sold him the device broke the law by doing so, but he's not breaking the law just by having it. It's illegal to sell so-called "tobacco products" to minors but, as far as I know, it's not actually illegal in most areas for them to simply possess them or use them.
It is illegal for a minor to purchase an ecig in Ohio. It is also illegal for a parent or guardian to purchase an ecig for a minor in Ohio, with repercusions being potential jail time and a hefty fine for the parents and the seller . Laws may vary from state to state concerning purchases by parents and their minor children, but it is illegal for vendors to sell to parents of minors if the device is meant for the minor throughout the US.
 

zoiDman

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Minor Laws vary from State to State.

The OP should check Her State Laws regarding a Minor in Possession of an e-Cigarette and or an e-Liquid that contains Nicotine.

Just a Clarification:

As of August 8th, it is Illegal to sell an e-Cigarette or an e-Liquid that contains Nicotine to a Minor in ANY State in the USA. And for CA and HI the age limit is 21+.

State Laws for Minor in Possession vary from State to State. As do School Policies regarding having an e-Cigarette and or e-Liquid that contains Nicotine on School Grounds and School Buses.
 

Bunnykiller

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as long as the juice is 0 nic, no real harm... its the nic that makes this illegal at 13
same as rum n coke is illegal for a 13 y/o to drink... but its ok for them to drink a coke without rum
as far as purchasing equipment... I dont see why it should be illegal.. they can buy a cigarette lighter but cant buy ciggies.
They can buy ice cups coke but not rum...
keep the nic away from them... thats the part of the potion that needs to be controlled...
at least you didnt find the really "bad" stuff in the backpack...

most likely hes doing the peer thing and blowing clouds, an entertainment thing and a group bonding situation.
 

Racehorse

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For everyone saying what he's doing is "illegal" -- no it's probably not.

Ziodman is correct. Here are some examples:

-Texas: Senate Bill 97 will took effect October 1, 2015 and relates to regulation of the sale, distribution, possession, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and tobacco products, amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty. This bill amends Chapter 161 of the Health and Safety Code to treat e-cigarettes in a similar manner as cigarettes as it relates to distribution, use by minors, and prevention of use by minors.
SB97 - E-Cigarettes added to Texas Tobacco Laws | Texas School Safety Center

- Utah -
(2) Any person under the age of 18 who buys or attempts to buy, accepts, or has in the person's possession any cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, or tobacco in any form is subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court and:
(a) a minimum fine or penalty of $60; and
(b) participation in a court-approved tobacco education program, which may include a participation fee.
Utah State Legislature

- Florida:
The possession, use, distribution, or sale of tobacco or nicotine products on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, or on school transportation by any person under the age of 18.
  • A student under 18 possessing and/or smoking cigarettes.
  • A student under 18 possessing and/or smoking electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, hookah pens, etc.).
Tobacco

-Arkansas: Act 1451, also passed during the 2013 legislative session, prohibits minors from purchasing and possessing e-cigarettes.

- Other: General
Schools in four states consider treating e-cigarettes as drug paraphernalia


How many more states do you want me to look up? o_O



If you go to individual school districts, in almost any state, they are going to have consequences to students using ecigs who are under 18 ......

So it doesn't matter what we think, the point is that the son is going to be in violation of laws and policies just by possessing an ecig, let alone bringing it on to school grounds in his book-bag.
 

sucram

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I would show your son this thread, im not reading all of the replies but generally there is solid advice here.

Im sure others will point out their various health problems from smoking but looking at it from a financial perspective:
I started smoking at a young age, on average I spent approx 6k AUD per year on smokes for nearly 20 years. Work out the sums and see if its worth it.

If you are vaping for the flavour, its by far not nearly as good as the actual fruits. Ask your parents to pack fruits to take to school

Vaping isnt cool, for me its a means to an end and kinda a pain in the ..., do I have enough juice for the day, are my batteries charged, etc. all this BS just to make sure im ok to go down the street...day in day out. It pisses everyone off and im sorta getting sick of it myself
 

Frenchfry1942

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It is tough to say "bad, bad, bad", when it is already occurring. The more we leave kids "to their own devices" or "on their own", the more probability of going down an unprofitable path. I am not saying the world has collapsed or that your son is anything beyond that he is involved with vaping.

The thing I noticed with my kids is when they are drifting in an unprofitable direction, they are not moving in the best direction. And, wanting to fit in with other kids is a big tug to parent against. 13 years old is a tough time.

I hope that I was a good example on a day to day basis. I did sports early on and that introduced him to better kids (generally), school was important and I spent time with him. Most days I looked over what he was working on when he had the book home, and if I never saw the book...things that make you go "hmmm".

As to the situation, the vaporizer would disappear and when he asked, I would tell him. If he doesn't ask, he understands. What comes in to the house has to get through Customs Enforcement first. I never had a big reason to go snooping, though. Having a sense of privacy is another subject. I think your daughter did right. I would tell her so. She did good for the "family".

I wouldn't dwell on him having it, I would dwell on getting him on better paths. A bit of family responsibilities and respect for that, hanging out with better crowd, doing things together to re-enforce the relationship. My son and I cooked on Friday or Saturday night, usually some homemade pizza, pasta, or on the grill. His social outlet was NOT just kids.

It is hard dedicating time to raising kids. I see the non-nicotine vaporizer as an alarm to work to lessen the negative influences of his peers. Definitely don't shoot him, that will just alienate him. :)

It is illegal, unprofitable and a notice that others are influencing, negatively, your ability to raise your son. Your daughter did good. Congrats!
 
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Smoke_too_much

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Lots of good advice being given and lots of different parenting skills and philosophies presented, so here's my 2 cents.

First just to clarify a few things. The battery danger being referred to results from the high output batteries we typically use. If they discharge too quickly they can heat up, start on fire, and in extreme cases explode. The devices we use started as little more than a battery and a switch so there was no way to control their output beyond ensuring that what they were powering was built in accordance with safe electrical principles encompassed in Ohm's law. The newer more expensive devices have protection circuits in them to avoid the problem. It appears your son has one of the manual cheaper devices without the protection circuits.

Nicotine is very similar to caffeine in both its benefits and its addictiveness. In fact its addictiveness is still an open question since many people report no addition to it. If taken in reasonable quantities there are few if any dangers related to it. Its benefits, like caffeine, have to do with one's enhanced ability to concentrate, mood, etc, none of which would be of much benefit nor impressive to a 13 year old. Bottom line though is that nic presents little danger to him unless he is coming in contact with a concentrated form of it, which isn't likely. If you look at the bottle of eliquid you found there should be an indication of its nic content, if it says "0 mg" then it has no nic.

The health implications of vaping the ejuice components being vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and the food flavors or concentrates is not yet fully known. It will take years of study to determine what they may be however consensus seems to be that vaping is significantly safer than smoking. As such we ex-smokers will accept the risks even the unknown ones in order to eliminate the many known health dangers of smoking.

I'm sure your son is not an ex-smoker so there is little benefit to him in vaping other than being perceived to as cool as his peers in being into something he's not supposed to be. Many of us can well remember being in the same position and the peer pressure and wanting to belong are very significant to teens and not to be taken lightly by a parent who either dosen't remember what it was like or never cared in the first place. This is the point at which your parenting skills should take over and you get to decide on how to deal with this issue and deal with your son.

I tend to agree with those who emphasize communication rather than simply banning things they don't want their kids to get into. I remember only too well what effect bans had on me and that was simply to drive the activity underground where my parents were no longer aware of it. Another important reason to emphasize communication is that 13 is pretty young to be involved in vaping so the implication is that he is very likely to soon be trying other sorts of things much more harmful to him and I would think as a parent I'd want to be one of the first to know about that instead of the last like my parents were.

Don't rush into this as there really is no immediate danger to him from vaping and a thoughtful approach to dealing with it will get you much farther than an unprepared emotional response will. Take your time and research what you have to, you're off to a good start by coming here, however I wouldn't normally suggest you seek parenting advice on a vaping forum as I'm sure there are better sources for that sort of guidance, despite the fact that all of us here would wish you only well in your relationship with your son.
 
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