Minors and vaping

[DSullivan]

Being new to vaping (and loving it) I was sitting and wondering what the future may hold. I was wondering what parents would do if their kids wanted to vape with 0 nic juices. Wondering how other non-vapers, non smokers (and smokers) would view it. How could current laws stop vaping minors using 0 nic juices? Any parents out there whose kids asked about vaping? How did you handle it? Not sure how I feel about any of this, so I am seeking to hear others opinions. Can we view minors vaping the same as how parents allow maybe wine or low alcohol at dinner time? Different views among different ethnicities? A lot to think about.

 

[LeftHandBlack]

Here in Denver 0 nic is still 18 to purchase. If parents buy it for their kids who am I to say its wrong.

 

[WillyZee]

Kids are gonna do what kids are gonna do ... education is the key ... the more folks that quit smoking using the Vape ... all the better for future generations

 

[winemermaid]

I am not saying I condone minors using PV's for the simple fact that this is what is making us potentially pay the price because that's exactly what the FDA's major contributing factor in being against e-cigarettes (and I'm sure many "concerned" parents who are worried about their children smoking rather than the drugs they do at those parties), but I must admit - it sure beats the hell out of our children smoking cigarettes. Luckily, my daughter is 3 and she knows that this is mommy's e-cigarette (she also tells everyone it takes batteries - teaching her young to educate!). If she starts to reach teenage years and is smoking cigarettes - I'd go buy her a PV with no questions asked. That's just my opinion and I'm sure a lot of people would beg to differ. This is like asking if abortion should be legal - so many different perspectives. Do what you think is right? I feel that this is the best policy.

 

[SissySpike]

If the future is filled with 0 nic vapers what a wonderful world it will be!

 

[danca90]

Minors shouldn't vape. It's illegal.

 

[flybykite]

I have a son who is interested in vaping and he's 16. At first I thought I would have to allow it or be a hypocritical parent and shut communication doors. The more I thought about it, I was uneasy to the fact that he would be starting an oral fixation habit and I didnt want this for him even if it was 0 nic juice. After flopping about, I decided it's not something I can enable him to do with good conscience. He is 16 and will do whatever he wants but I feel good about not supporting the eventual habit. I spent quite a bit of time describing my addiction to tobacco and nic, as well as just needing that throat and lung hit to constrict the capillaries.
Kids do these things for the "cool" factor while I still have moments of awkwardness and guilt vaping around others who dont.

 

[stevegmu]

If kids started vaping en mass- whether it be 0nic or otherwise, mods/pvs/e-cigs, etc., would be classified as paraphernalia and banned from sale in many states; California being the first. Then the FDA would really get involved.

 

[otrpu]

Minors shouldn't vape. It's illegal.

Admittedly. . .it's been decades since I was a minor. . .But, I don't remember something being legal having anything to do with what I decided to do. JMHO

Cheers,
otrpu

 

[cmdebrecht]

My kids (13 and 16) want me to get some zero nic juice just so they can try it. My 13 yo daughter, especially. I may eventually do it just so they can get it out of their system...and see that it's not really a big deal. I have a feeling they'd get over it pretty quickly.

On the other hand, I am not sure it's the right thing to do. They're not 18. My husband lets my son have a sip of the fancy beers he likes to try. Is there a difference? I don't know.

 

[EvilZoe]

If the kid has already been smoking a year or more, I'd buy him a PV and get him off the cigs. If the kid hasn't ever been a smoker, kid has to wait until he's a legal adult to make his own decision.


I only think minors should be vaping if there is a real risk of them having the monkey that is tobacco on their backs.

 

[DSullivan]

Some great honest replies, and I see many are as undecided as I am. As they say, what ever will be will be. I think many without a nic addiction may see it as a waste of money they would rather spend on something else. I don't know of anyone personally, that took up vaping (even at 0 nic) just because they enjoy it, although I am sure there must be some. I bet the majority of 0 nic vapers have titrated themselves down from nic and used to smoke. I see teens sneaking their fathers beer before their mod, lol. Smoking has stopped being cool among kids it seems, like it was back when I was young. Perhaps vaping will not replace that longing to belong either.

 

[nobreak1970]

We found out recently my 17 year old nephew smokes. My sister does too. She got a vape kit, she got one for him. He loves it and threw his cigs out.
I have no problem for parents to get stuff for their kids to get off smoking...but as far as a parent getting a nonsmoking kid get an ecig? My opinion is against it. What is the purpose?
thanks for listening.

 

[cap269]

As a father of four (my youngest is 17), the only way I would permit 'underage vaping' would be if they were already 'underage smoking' as a means to get them away from the coffin nails. Teens rarely respect the drinking and smoking laws anyway, so if they are going to smoke, I would personally rather them be vaping. If they are not smoking, then I wouldn't want them to vape either. Once they reach the age of majority, then it is up to them.

 

[demeter]

I have 6 kids... 3 are too young to even notice or have that curiosity and 3 of them are old enough to know. My 18 year old has vaped, he's actually the one that got me my first PV. My almost 15 and 12 year old have expressed a slight interest/curiosity and I was like Um.. No. lol It's NOT smoking... but it is an oral fixation. While it's fun and cool to play around with new stuff, this is NOT the hobby I wish my minor children to get interested in.

That said... my oldest started smoking at 16. I "allowed" it because I'd rather my kids be open and honest with me about what they are doing. I refused to support his habit, he had to find a way to score cigs himself lol (though a couple times I did purchase him a pack for cutting the lawn... bad mom??)

Kids are going to do what they are going to do... if the interest and curiosity is there I'd say there's no stopping them but I can't say I would be the one supporting their habit. The most important thing is keeping those lines of communication open...

 

[Thamyris]

over this last weekend did a experimental ss mesh and bakero @ 0.3 ohm's build, i went up to my living room showing my wife the production it was giving, my step son never really sees me vape much and i started chasing big ole clouds, using 100%vg. my wife was like OMG!.
my step son "age 13" walks over and is like WOW! and starts playing with the clouds, " swirling them as they drop, smacking his hand through them, etc.."
All of a sudden it dawned on me as i seen a look in his eyes as if "whoah this is cool".....

We instantly had a small talk about it, i told him if you ever want to do this i wont care BUT! you must wait till you are 18, and you MUST! promise me you will never add nicotine ..."gave him the reasons why of nic being addictive talk" etc.....

so in conclusion while i think it may be inevitable that some kids are just gonna do what they want or do things because of their surroundings and upbringings & influences, we as parents must educate the younger generation on as of and why most of us are doing this now, its in order to save our health and wing ourselves in most cases from toxic chemicals. I started smoking analogs at age 12 now that i vape i feel better than i ever have in my life... but thats another story....

 

[retired1]

ECF's official stance on vaping by minors is it should not be done. Closing this thread.