Opinions please...

[LynnNC]

My 17 year old son smokes and has for over a year. I'm debating on buying him an electronic cig to replace the cigarettes. He's underage so I'll have to do the buying and I have friends who tell me that by getting him ecigs I'm contributing to his nicotine addiction. My friends say I should just make him quit. My mom tried to make me quit when I started smoking at 15 but 43 years later we see that didn't work. He has his own car and job so I can't control his every move. He's been getting cigarettes ion his own for over a year so I don't feel bad about buying him electronic. I figure the ecigs are better than the real ones. Weigh in everyone!

 

[Evilocity]

Agreed. However, this is potentially a touchy subject with the whole underage aspect. Antz just loves stories like these I'm sure.

I'd say ecig is better than cigarettes all day long regardless of age (although inhaling none of the above would be best).

 

[freeatlast!]

If it'll get him to quit smoking NOW instead of 40+ years from now, yes, go for it!! You can't "make" a 17 y/o do anything.

 

[twgbonehead]

Yes, do it!

One thing the whole "Oh no, not the children!!" debate completely ignores is the number of underage kids who start smoking (and have no trouble at all getting smokes). I believe they'd all be better off vaping (even if they never smoked, but decided to start vaping instead of deciding to start smoking).

 

[LynnNC]

You've got that right! I haven't been able to "make" him do anything since he turned 14 except go to school and clean his room.

 

[LynnNC]

He's had no problem at all getting smokes. I really think he's buying them himself because he looks older than 17.

 

[joesquid]

Now is your best bet to get him off the smokes. Done it with my 16 YO.

 

[M4rtin]

Wow! That is a tough one! All I can say is I can remember back to those days and you would not have changed my mind on quitting. I personally would try and help him! Make sure it is a good set up that produces a good throat hit and flavor! Wish this was around when I started smoking! As far as anyone telling you you are contributing to his habit obviously has no addiction issues. So I would definitely make a trip with him to a local vape shop! I wish you much success and would love to hear how you make out!

 

[Nightshard]

Same rule for everyone.
If you already smoke 100% yes.
If you don't 100% no.
No matter how old you are.

 

[eratikmind]

Wishing you the best in your next battle against the nails, Lynn. I trust that your son heeds your advice.

 

[KenRob316]

I started smoking at 13, even at that age I never had a problem finding a store to sell me cigarettes. I am of two minds on the subject. On the one hand I say smack the crap out of him, take away his I-phone, cars keys, game system, etc and tell him to quit. Now before everyone screams at me for that I realize that in reality the success of this approach is not very likely. On the other hand I say get him the e-cig. Just make it clear that he has to pay for his own materials.

 

[DetraMental]

I'm working with my own son and vaping now, he's 28 and can't really afford the habit due to present circumstances. If it had been around back when he was 17-18 years old I'd have given him a pv and juice or as mentioned taken him to a vape shop to find the right gear. They are gonna smoke, just like we did, so help em the best way you know how and thank GOD we have better tools now to get off those cigarettes.

 

[Nana Gail]

I agree with much of what has been posted above with a small no vote on one suggestion. I say give him a setup and let him sample you juices to find something he likes. monitor him and and see if he gives analogs up completely. Teach him about Vapeing but don't get him into advanced Vapeology. Make his gear something useful but try to keep him away from Vape shops. You go and buy what you think he needs,not what he wants to quit smoking. Do not walk into a Vape Shop with him in tow (very bad idea). They will be able by your actions and his to tell this is for him and may well card HIM. They could be held legally liable same as a Bar Tender in some States. Work hard with him to reduce the nic content of his juices (till he dosen't even know he's on 0 nic). By that time he will be 18 and nothing you can do will change his choices! You have a short window of opportunity now to change his likes and dislikes. GO FOR IT!! I will be rooting for both of you!

 

[Bernard Marx]

There's nothing you can do. He'll either find them or not. Take up Yoga.

 

[Kmotion]

perhaps you should ask him about it first?
i mean, if he's open to it then go ahead and get him one. if he's not, then you'll be saving a few dollars

if he wants to smoke cigarettes, he's going to smoke cigarettes..
just my 2cents

 

[FLSunshine]

Lynn,
I am a relatively new vapor. I still use 3-6 analogs a day ( down from 1-2 packs a day). I vape at 6 mg strength e juice.
A couple weeks ago I was in Detroit visiting my now grown daughters that have children of their own now. While I was there I gave them both Kanger Evod kits and juice that I pre ordered from Mt Baker Vapor a month prior that were supposed to be smilar to what they smoked.(it takes time to steep apparently)
I also found a local vapor store and went and visited it to make sure it was stuff I wanted them vaping. I then took each of them to the store to let them sample flavors and pick out 3 they liked.
One daughter only vapes now, not alanalogs. She started at 24 mg and is now down to 12 mg in two weeks time.
The other daughter is more like her mom and still using analogs. She vapes at 12 and 6 mg.
They decided on their own after they had the proper supplies that they wanted to switch to vapor.
The one that quit analogs posted it on facebook and one not so nice person attacked her and said she was still a smoker since she is inhaling it and getting nicotine. She called distressed and I told her what she was doing was no different then the quitters that use the patch to ignore the mean person and let them keep smoking their cigarettes.
I still chip in for e juice because I choose to help them create a better habit.
I told them, not that this is safe but it has to be safer than cigarettes.
I hope this helps.

 

[puffon]

I say go for it. If you tell him no, he will smoke anyway. Wish mine was still 17!....

 

[Trevisan]

I had a similar situation earlier this summer. My 17 year old nephew smokes and asked me to buy him some junky starter gear while we were walking around some shops at Myrtle Beach. Ultimately, I was not comfortable doing so, told him to ask his Dad. (also a longtime smoker)

I was in a position to pass the buck, so I did. The decision would have been much harder if I were actually the parent in the hot seat. I am so grateful that my teenager hates smoking. Luck of the draw I guess. Good luck, I'm sure that you will make the right decision for both of you.

 

[readeuler]

Personally, I think it's perfectly ethical to get him an ecig (downright humanitarian if it works, but again, that's just me), given that he currently smokes.

I have quite strong feelings on the subject, in fact, but can't seem to word anything properly. But again, I think there's absolutely nothing wrong with it (and everything wrong with the opposite mindset, "too young to stop smoking"). I started at 15 as well; young people just do what they want to do. If he eventually wants to vape instead, everyone who matters is happy.

 

[sandersj80]

The more you push him to quit, the more he will try to smoke behind your back. Best thing is to take him to a vape shop and show him that he can still get the same nic effect without all the additives. Then show him the fun in making clouds. That in itself will help him to change over.