A 17-year-old teenager from Copan, Oklahoma, went into a coma after telling her mother that she was having trouble breathing. Doctors found out that there were blisters on her lungs, causing the left one to collapse, nearly killing her. This girl has been vaping for years despite having asthma with the misconception that vaping is a healthy way to smoke. Then, suddenly, she was fighting for her life. 

This incident is a wake-up call, revealing the harsh reality that vaping poses dangers on par with cigarettes. As a parent, you don’t want your child to end up in the same fate as her. Understanding this is crucial for parents who want to protect their children from vaping dangers before it’s too late.

Don’t let your child fall into the trap of vaping. This blog is your ultimate guide in learning how to safeguard your kids from the risks of vaping. 

Ensure a Healthier Future for Your Child

What is Vapor Smoking

Vaping, or vapor smoking, involves inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar devices. These devices heat a liquid mix of nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals to create an aerosol that users inhale. Due to its less intimidating appearance compared to tobacco or cigarettes, people have different misconceptions about vaping.

Common Vaping Misconceptions:



• It’s not addictive
• It’s just a flavoring
• It helps you quit smoking
• It is less harmful to your lungs
• It helps relieve stress and anxiety

These common misconceptions are leading more teens to view vaping as a “healthy” way to smoke. As a result, vaping has become even more popular among younger people.

The Prevalence of Vaping Among Youth

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), youth in the United States use e-cigarettes and vapes more than any other tobacco product. 

The e-cigarettes entered the U.S. market in the mid-2000s, and sales have increased rapidly since 2007. In 2023, it was also reported that nine in every ten high school students used flavored e-cigarettes, resulting in 2.13 million youth currently in use of e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, this number continues to increase every year.

Why Teenagers Vape

A survey from the CDC reported the common reasons why young people vape:

• Most teens have a friend or family member using it.
• 55.3% of teens in the U.S. tried vaping out of curiosity.
• 21.2% of youth tried vape because they can be used to do tricks.
• Teens think e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
• Vaping offers a wide variety of flavors, such as mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate, which can appeal to teenagers. 

Health Risks of Vaping for Young Lungs

Although marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, vaping comes with significant health risks, especially for young lungs that are still developing. Here are some alarming health risks of e-cigarettes for teens:

1. Lung Damage. The aerosol inhaled from e-cigarettes contains ultrafine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and respiratory issues, such as chronic bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses. 
2. Increased Asthma Symptoms. Studies have shown that vaping can worsen asthma symptoms in young people. Children who vape may experience increased wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, making it difficult to engage in physical activities. 
3. Nicotine Addiction. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Young users exposed to high amounts of nicotine may develop nicotine addiction symptoms within days or weeks.
4. Developmental Risks. Heavy nicotine exposure can interfere with brain development and cause developmental delays, leading to long-term mental, cognitive, and behavioral issues. 
5. EVALI (Vaping-Associated Lung Injury). There are various cases of severe lung injuries associated with vaping, also known as EVALI. Some of its symptoms can include chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, and even hospitalization or death. While these are less common, they still underscore the potential dangers of vaping. 

Now that you understand the health risks of vaping among teens, it’s important to discuss with your child about its dangers as soon as possible.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping

As vaping becomes a growing trend among teens, parents need to engage in open and honest conversations about its dangers. While challenging, these discussions are essential to safeguard your child’s health and well-being and help them make informed decisions. If you don’t know how to start, here are some tips and steps: 

• Start the conversation early

Talk to your child about vaping during low-pressure moments such as during a car ride or cooking together, to make them comfortable discussing sensitive topics.

• Educate yourself first

Make sure you fully understand everything about vaping before talking to your child about it. Being knowledgeable about the facts and statistics will help you provide accurate information and clear any misconceptions.

• Use open-ended questions

Don’t lecture; focus on making them curious by asking open-ended questions. Questions like “I don’t know if you’re already aware of this, but do you know how bad vaping is for you?” This approach fosters a two-way conversation and helps you know their opinions. 

• Lead by example

If you smoke or vape, your child is more likely to do the same. Set a powerful example for them by quitting and providing an opportunity to talk about the dangers of nicotine addiction.

• Be supportive, not punitive

If you discover your child is vaping, offer support instead of punishment. Understand why they started and work together on solutions, like seeking help from a counselor or healthcare provider. Let them know they’re not alone. 

Discuss the risks of vaping with your child before it’s too late. Carefully open the topics and explore resources that can help them understand the dangers better. If you’re struggling to find one, we've got you. 

Resources For Help and Support

There are various free resources and support groups available to help teens quit vaping and all other tobacco use. Here are some reliable resources that you can check out.

Protecting Your Child From Vaping

Vaping has been a growing concern among parents and teenagers. While you can't shield your kids from complete exposure, understanding the risks and maintaining open communication with unconditional love, encouragement, and support is the key to protecting them.

Sang Pediatrics is your reliable partner in ensuring your child’s health and well-being. We understand how important it is for you to protect your child from any dangers that may compromise their quality of life. You can rely on us to provide comprehensive pediatric care with love and compassion. Our goal is to help parents nurture their kids' physical, emotional, and developmental well-being through comprehensive, efficient, and coordinated service focused on quality and safety.

Contact us at (559) 268-1737 to experience better healthcare for your kids today.

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