My husband recently found empty vaping cartridges in my 15 year old son’s room under his bed. I have read articles about how bad it can be, and we have tried talking to our son, but he can’t seem to quit. What should we do?
Vaping can be extremely addictive in teens, whose developing brains make them more susceptible to dependency. Nicotine alters and disrupts a child’s brain chemistry and stopping can lead to irritability, anxiety, and depressed mood, which create real barriers for giving up the habit. Your pediatrician is an excellent resource in vaping cessation. If your child is physically dependent on nicotine, a discussion of NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) can be a useful tool in helping them break the habit. There are a plethora of free resources available to both parents and teens, such as Smokefree Teen powered by the US Department of health (teen.smokefree.gov) where your teen can sign up for text messages, speak with a counselor, and develop a vaping quit plan. Speak with your teen about the immediate negative effects of vaping, such as poor athletic performance, cost, and negative social perception, which can be useful in motiving them to quit.
