Talking to Kids About Vaping

Before the Talk

• Know the facts.
• Get credible information about e-cigarettes and young people at the Surgeon General's website.
• Be patient and ready to listen.
• Avoid criticism and encourage an open dialogue. Remember, your goal is to have a conversation, not to deliver a lecture. It's OK for your conversation to take place over time, in bits and pieces
• Set a positive example by being tobacco-free.
• If you use tobacco, it's never too late to quit. For free help, visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Answer Their Questions

Why don't you want me to use e-cigarettes?

• Science shows that e-cigarettes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body.
• Right now, your brain is still developing, which means you are more vulnerable to addiction. Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and using nicotine can change your brain to make you crave more nicotine. It can also affect your memory and concentration. I don't want that for you!
• E-cigarettes contain chemicals that are harmful. When people use e-cigarettes, they breathe in tiny particles that can harm their lungs.
• The cloud that people exhale from e-cigarettes can expose you to chemical that are not safe to breathe.

What's the big deal about nicotine?

• Your brain is still developing until about age 25. The Surgeon General reported that nicotine is addictive and can harm your brain development.
• Using nicotine at your age may make it harder for you to concentrate, learn, or control your impulses. 
• Nicotine can even train your brain to be more easily addicted to other drugs like meth and cocaine.
• I don't say this to scare you, but I want you to have the facts because nothing is more important to me than your health and safety.

Aren't e-cigarettes safer than conventional cigarettes?

• Because your brain is still developing, scientific studies show that it isn't safe for your to use any tobacco product that contains nicotine, including e-cigarettes.
• Whether you get nicotine from an e-cigarette or a cigarette, it's still risky.
• Some e-cigarette batteries have even exploded and hurt people.

I thought e-cigarettes didn't have nicotine -- just water and flavoring?

• I used to think that, too. But many e-cigarettes have nicotine. There are also other chemicals in them that can be harmful

I (or my friends) have tried e-cigarettes and it was no big deal.

• I appreciate your honesty. In the future I hope you (or your friends) will stay away from e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, including cigarettes. Science show that e-cigarettes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body.
• Next time we go to the doctor, let's ask about the risks of nicotine, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products.

You used tobacco, so why shouldn't I?

• If I could live my life over again, I never would have started smoking. I learned that people who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop, and die from, certain diseases than people who don't smoke. This was really scary, so I quit smoking.
• Quitting was really hard, and I don't want you to go through that. The best thing is to not start at all.