serious drug and that it can lead to an expensive lifelong addiction. If you are an ex-smoker, tell your kids why and how hard it was for you to quit. Talk about the unknowns of the safety of vapor, even if it does not contain nicotine. The long-term effects of the chemicals inhaled in vapor are just not known — why risk it? Set clear expectations, and tell your kids that smoking and vaping are both off-limits. If you don’t want them to smoke or vape, set an example of not smoking or vaping. Make your home and car a smoke-free, vape-free zone.
How to Tell If Your Child Smokes or Vapes One of the factors that makes vap- ing attractive to kids is the lack of the telltale odor and waste that tradi- tional cigarettes produce, so use is easier to hide. But there are signs of vaping, including: 1. Any candy, fruit or minty odor, when none of these items are around. 2. Unfamiliar gadgets, especially those that resemble high-tech pens (look for holes in each end of an unfamiliar device). 3. Increased thirstiness (the glycerin or propylene glycol ingredients in vapor causes dry mouth). 4. Caffeine sensitivity (your child loved coffee or energy drinks and suddenly no longer does). 5. Batteries and chargers (some devices can be charged with a USB cable, but many require rechargeable batteries). 6. Thin, metallic wires, organic
Ready, Set, Grow
cotton and empty plastic vials.
7. Discarded atomizers (the metal part that heats and turns e-juice into vapor, which have to be replaced periodically). 8. Signs of nicotine withdrawal.
Getting Help Nicotine is a powerful drug, and quitting isn’t easy. Luckily there are resources to assist. Start with your pediatric healthcare provider. There are also web-based pro- grams and apps that appeal to teens (teen.
smokefree.gov; http://betobaccofree.hhs. gov/quit-now/
index.html). As an informed parent, you have much more cred-
ibility with your kids than you may
think. Check out YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites popular with teens. A quick search can show you the ads, celebrity endorsements and sites that promote vaping. You and your teen share the same goal: for them to grow up smart, safe and healthy. So keep your eyes and ears open, and keep talking.
Laura Searcy, MN, APRN, PPCNP- BC, is the president of NAPNAP and has more than 25 years of experience in clinical practice, nurs- ing leadership, health policy and advocacy with a focus on pediatric primary care, child and adolescent injury prevention, substance abuse prevention and government affairs. She is a founding member of the Cobb Community Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse (CCAPSA) and a frequent presenter on issues related to prevention of youth use of alco- hol, tobacco and other drugs.
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