The law prohibiting the sale of vaping products to those under age 18 came into effect a few days ago. This is a welcome first step in vaping regulation.

For some teens who have been regularly vaping, they will now have more difficulty getting vape. This matters if your teen has been regularly vaping and suddenly stops – the nicotine withdrawal is real.  By the way — for many parents out there, your teen has been vaping WAY more than you know.  I’m saying this as a doctor who has 16 and 17 year old patients.

The Basic Science:   “nicotinic cholinergic receptors” are in your brain, heart, adrenal glands and are activated by nicotine. So when you take it, it goes everywhere. It increases heart rate and the work your heart is doing when it beats. It affects mood and can cause anxiety. It can also cause reflux, nausea, and loss of appetite. It can cause sleep problems and insomnia. It can cause local irritation (so throat, mouth, breathing depending on how you take it.) It can also cause headache and palpitations. Long term can cause problems like increasing insulin resistance.  When you suddenly stop nicotine after your body is used to it, all of those same parts of the body and brain are affected. Now, it is not dangerous but it can be miserable.

There is a (very!) good chance that many parents have been unaware of the extent of their teens vaping: disposable vapes look like stationery products in a pencil case, and the fruity vape smell is not characteristic like marijuana or cigarettes.

The solution here, by the way, is not to buy your teens vape. If you have been to any of my in-person talks or seen any previous Blog posts, I talk about the science of why nicotine (in vapes, tobacco, etc.) isn’t great for teen mental or physical health.

It’s worth having an honest talk with your teen about vaping this week.   Get the facts yourself first to help guide your talk and answer their questions.  Be critical evaluating where both you and they are getting information on vape:  much of it circulating is sponsored by vaping and tobacco lobbies (note: these lobbies may label themselves as “independent” but be cautious if you do not see a transparent source of funding or they do not disclose their donors.)  If they are suffering from withdrawal, make an appointment with a doctor who can help guide on easing withdrawal symptoms.

For many of my adult patients who have used vaping to quit smoking, they have continued vaping and are often keen to give up the vape but struggle. [Note: Vaping is not a recommended or evidence-based way to give up smoking.] It may be worth considering if this is a time to give up vaping together.

Vaping Information for Parents