Speaking to kids about E-cigarettes

[brianyamagata]

So I stepped outside of the office for a few to have a nice vape break. As I was vaping, I heard a kid behind me say,"Hey, can I see your hookah pen?" I turned to see a child, about 12 years old, fascinated by my "hookah pen." I was using my MVP and a protank, and he excitedly said," Wow, that's a really cool one!" He quickly called out to his buddies to come check it out. Soon, I was surrounded by 5 pre-teens, all asking questions about my device...

Now, the question I'd like to ask the community is this: How do you deal with speaking to children about e-cigarettes?

In my circumstance, I quickly informed them that it does indeed have nicotine, a highly addictive substance that I'm using as a result of my years of smoking cigarettes. I told them that as children, they need to know that these new, cool-looking devices are a delivery system, generally, for a substance that's typically regulated and is not allowed for consumption by minors. They all looked at me slightly disappointed that I would lecture them, but continued to have a conversation with me. Two of them mentioned that their fathers' use "hookah pens." I asked if they did so to replace smoking, to which they both confirmed. Though they seemed more interested in the fact that it was "fake smoke," I couldn't help but feel worried that children this young are so aware of its existence. When I was 12, smoking was the furthest thing from my mind, and here these kids were, knowing full well of the device I was toting. After 5 minutes or so, I steered the conversation to gaming and the new gen consoles, which to my relief they were much more excited to discuss. Sadly, I did so because I was uncomfortable with these children's comfort with a "hookah pen."

I am a vaper, and I love vaping. There's not a single part of me that wants to see the e-cigarette industry in the hands of the government, or big tobacco. However, after today's event, I definitely believe that until vaping is proven to be absolutely non-carcinogenic, I would like to see at least some regulation on the availability of vapes to minors. I firmly believe that vaping is an adult thing, and should be treated as such. There's no reason for a child to be addicted to anything other than ambition, amusement and achievement.

 

[heroinesick]

I consider this a gigantic fail on part of the parents. I have two children. One that is mine and one that I've 'adopted.' ( She's my daughter's best friend, and if I could adopt that kid and bring her to live with us, trust me, I would.) ANYWAY, because I've talked to them about cigarette addiction, and my desire to quit smoking using electronic cigarettes, they have ZERO desire to try one. I think that talking frankly with your children from a young age about how hard quitting smoking is, and the disgusting things cigarette smoke can do you to you, they've learned to associate that with nicotine only. I'm sort of okay with that, being that they're 12 and 14. They're scared to death to get addicted, and all the better for it.

But, I do agree, I'm totally okay with regulation stating that only those over 18 can purchase apvs or eliquid. There's no reason under heaven that either of those things should be sold to minors.

 

[Stosh]

My first cigarette was probably somewhere about age 12, I wish it was a e-cig. Explaining it to them as much as their attention span will allow without boring them would seem advisable. From what you describe it would appear you handled the situation quite correctly. Making it something mysterious and strange would only peak the interest of most normally curious pre-teens.

If it's viewed as a medical aid for an ex-smoker, it should serve two purposes. Dissuade them from using an e-cig, and even better keep them from ever starting smoking.

 

[Jayvaps]

I was certainly aware of smokes at 12. It was wha all the cool older kids did. I remember some of us trying one behind a friends house one day that a kid swiped from his older brother.

Kids this age will be curious.

Now, some random kid on the street? I would feel less inclined to get into a deep discussion with than say, if it was a relative or a friends kid or something.

I would personally just go the route of...this is an ecigarette. I vape it because I am addicted to nicotine, not because it is cool. And I do not reccomed it to people not addicted to nicotine and leave it at that. In other words, be honest, but don't get into a long drawn out discussion.

 

[generic mutant]

What do you do about kids who are thoroughly addicted to cigarettes? I'd say they should be prescribed to them, personally, assuming data demonstrating their efficacy for quitting.

If not all e-liquid contains nicotine, is it necessarily a no-go for youngsters? I wouldn't say vaping non-nic e-liquid is a major problem for a 16 year old.

Don't have many answers. Just pointing out that it's bloody complicated.

 

[partyannimal]

I can relate.
I have two older children (in their 20's) and my daughter doesn't smoke, but my son does. I wish he would vape, and I'm still trying to convince him. Hopefully a "care package" complete with some yummy DIY juice for the holidays will help persuade him.

Then I have my 7 year old, who is very happy with my switch to vaping. She always hated me smoking, and would often throw away my cigarettes (ugh, so expensive) hoping it would get me to quit. Being a "single mom" she's almost always up my .... and she's seen me mix juice more than once, with about a thousand questions for me each time. I wasn't extremely comfortable explaining everything to her, but I made sure to keep including the fact that it's better than smoking but I still get the Nicotine that cigarettes made me want all of the time. I also explained that it's not for kids, just the same as the yummy flavored alcohols are not for them. It wasn't extremely hard to get the point through to her, as a matter of fact she asked if I could make a juice without the nic just so that she could try it lol! I told her that the other things in there may not be good for her tiny lungs either, and she was content.

So the other day when her dad came to pick her up for a visit with his 3 new step-kids that are around her age, I had no regrets about our conversation, and it was very funny (and cool) to watch her go at it with an excellent rebuttal after one of them saw me vaping and said "Ewwwwww, yukkk!!! That's a way bigger cigarette than my mommy smokes!".

 

[edyle]

So I stepped outside of the office for a few to have a nice vape break. As I was vaping, I heard a kid behind me say,"Hey, can I see your hookah pen?" I turned to see a child, about 12 years old, fascinated by my "hookah pen." I was using my MVP and a protank, and he excitedly said," Wow, that's a really cool one!" He quickly called out to his buddies to come check it out. Soon, I was surrounded by 5 pre-teens, all asking questions about my device...

Now, the question I'd like to ask the community is this: How do you deal with speaking to children about e-cigarettes?

In my circumstance, I quickly informed them that it does indeed have nicotine, a highly addictive substance that I'm using as a result of my years of smoking cigarettes. I told them that as children, they need to know that these new, cool-looking devices are a delivery system, generally, for a substance that's typically regulated and is not allowed for consumption by minors. They all looked at me slightly disappointed that I would lecture them, but continued to have a conversation with me. Two of them mentioned that their fathers' use "hookah pens." I asked if they did so to replace smoking, to which they both confirmed. Though they seemed more interested in the fact that it was "fake smoke," I couldn't help but feel worried that children this young are so aware of its existence. When I was 12, smoking was the furthest thing from my mind, and here these kids were, knowing full well of the device I was toting. After 5 minutes or so, I steered the conversation to gaming and the new gen consoles, which to my relief they were much more excited to discuss. Sadly, I did so because I was uncomfortable with these children's comfort with a "hookah pen."

I am a vaper, and I love vaping. There's not a single part of me that wants to see the e-cigarette industry in the hands of the government, or big tobacco. However, after today's event, I definitely believe that until vaping is proven to be absolutely non-carcinogenic, I would like to see at least some regulation on the availability of vapes to minors. I firmly believe that vaping is an adult thing, and should be treated as such. There's no reason for a child to be addicted to anything other than ambition, amusement and achievement.

It's a delivery system.

Period.

You could put ANYTHING in it.

It could be used for MEDICINE.

It could be used for prescription drug therapy prescribed by a doctor.

Is "smoking" addictive? It's the NICOTINE that is addictive.
Is "vaping" addictive? It's WHAT you're vaping that counts. uhh I was going to say that vaping 0 nic chocolate.... duh;;; wait a minute, some people get addicted to chocolate! oops!

And as for carcinogenic, again it all depends on what you vape, and also on the setup used to vape with. I imagine alot of the disposables end up burning synthetic "filler" material which you inhale; most atomisers that I have seen also have soft plastic or silicone parts that get hot and I expect emit some amount of toxic fumes.

What we currently call ecigs, ecigars and epipes might become classified as pharmaceutical delivery systems like asthma inhalers.
And eliquids would be pharmaceutical inhalant products.

 

[WiηgC¤mmαηdεя]

Personally I have successfully explained to my three kids that e-cigarettes are their parents replacement therapy for cigarettes and should not be used by anyone that was not already smoking.

Luckily they are not curious in trying them and understand that the liquid can be can be harmful and are not fun flavors.

Talking to random kids is tougher but I go with if you are not old enough to smoke then you should not be trying e-cigs since the nicotine in them is addictive, and even 0 nic can possibly establish a habit.

All the best,
Wing

 

[Uma]

I think we will be hearing more stories like this the closer to christmas we get . Kids really are interested in helping their parents quit. The hope in their eyes is overwhelmingly genuine. When they ask if its safer than smoking, i always say yes, but nowhere close to not inhaling anything at all. Their next question usually contains inquiries as to how to interest them, to which i reply they will turn a deaf ear, because they fear failing again, but that their genuine hope for them to try it will win them over in time.


tapatypo

 

[hazarada]

You should have asked them for money for letting them in on the secret!

 

[zahzoo]

This thread... It's an interesting perspective... but I have to say it's somewhat localized to certain states and large cities at the moment. But will sweep the nation in a blink or 3...

The Original Poster (OP) appears to be in southern California. So the whole concept and awareness among pre-teens of a "hookah pen" is something that doesn't exist in many parts of the US. For one... CA joins, WA, CO and a few other states that have decriminalized certain things we do not discuss here those hookah pens might be readily and commonly utilized for. Even in the heartland of US tobacco production hookah pens are... not prevalent.

But... the distinction of an e-cigarette/personal vaporizer and what it is, it's usage, effectiveness is not a subject to be avoided even with curious pre-teens. There's an audience just chompin at the bit to see what that stuff is all about..?

Best I figure one can do is talk about the equipment... be open and realistic about the nicotine delivery. What it's best used for is harm reduction for current smokers... not the next study aid and experimental phenomenon among teenagers. From there... let them decide where their experimentation takes them. It's inevitable...