Encourage your Teens to vape before they start smoking - Be Proactive

[John Phoenix]

This is a crazy topic. Really? We need to do everything we can to keep kids away from such an addictive substance. I don't care if they are smoking it, vaping it, chewing it, drinking it ... Yes smoking is by far the most unhealthiest way to get our fix but it is the addiction part that is the real devil in this dance, and we are still just as controlled by it whether we are vaping or smoking. I don't care if it is a teen or adult, I wouldnt encourage anyone to try nicotine and be subject to the slavery it causes.

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I think your missing the point. This is to have a contingency plan for when your kid decides they are going to smoke anyway.

Of course we all desire our kids to never want to use nicotine but that's not very realistic when they can sneak around your back.

Your wrong about nicotine addiction. It's scientifically proven the nicotine in e-cigs is only mildly addictive, like caffeine unlike the nicotine in cigarettes you smoke. There is a huge difference in the two. Any addiction from an e-cig is reliability harmless compared to smoking. That's one of the things that makes using an e-cig a much safer choice, not just the idea of using vapor over smoke.

People think nicotine is nicotine, so they must be the same but that's not true. Years ago the tobacco industry created a freebase form of nicotine by adding certain chemicals to tobacco. It makes the nicotine super strong. The tobacco companies did this to get more sales because in it's natural form, people were not getting hooked on cigarettes like they wanted people to do.

Coupled with this, there are lots of other chemicals in cigarettes we get addicted to, it's not just nicotine. People believed this lie from the tobacco companies for years because the tobacco companies would not admit to other substances in cigarettes being addictive.

The truth is out there if you research enough. These are the dirty little things the Tobacco industry doesn't want you to know. This is why users of other nicotine products world wide do not have strong addiction issues with those substances like they would with cigarettes.

Google " Freebase Nicotine" to read all about the truth. Then study the type of nicotine we use in it's untainted form and you will see why there is a big difference and it is only mildly addictive, no more than caffeine.

 

[QUADSHOT]

:0) I know you mean well, but I am just as addicted to my ecigs as I was to my cigarettes. And I don't need any studies to realize it is the nicotine that is the source of my addiction. I don't doubt the cigarette industry did things to make them more addictive, but I know that now that I have been only vaping it would not be much easier for me to stop cold turkey as when I did that when I quit smoking before.

To say nicotine addiction is the same as caffeine addiction. Come on really. Please don't tell your kids that. I don't doubt there is a study out there that says that, but that doesnt make it true. I have done my own personal study and have quit my addictition to both. Big difference.

Check out the studies that say nicotine is as addictive as ....... I bet if you did a pole here on ECF asking if nicotine addiction is closer to caffeine or ...... addiction ...... would win hands down.

If your kid is going to smoke I agree with you directing them toward vaping is much better. But if it is a discussion beforehand they need to know the slavery they will be subjected to and the power of nicotine addiction. If they are making these life choices the smoking is a symptom and sign of much deeper issues, and the parent should take the opportunity to help them with those things.

 

[Trucapri]

There's one major roadblock here . . . vaping isn't "cool". Add to that the fact that parents don't know anything at the age children start smoking, there's nothing that can be done except talk, talk, talk . . . but no preaching. Some things they'll hear, and some they won't. I think the most important aspect of presenting the messages we try to get across to our children is to not be judgemental. State the facts, point out non-judgemental examples they can relate to, and show them you believe in their ability to decide for themselves. And then love them, even if you don't support those decisions.

This doesn't start when you suddenly realize that they may be old enough to start sneaking smokes, or being sexually active. This starts as early as kindergarten when that little one heads off to school in the most atrocious, although clean and proper, outfit imaginable . . . that they picked out all by themselves! And your crediablity as a parent begins in these early moments with how you respond if they come home crying because they were teased . . .

Good thread!!

 

[Uma]

Interesting thread. I wish my mom was a Vapetress back in the 60's when I took my first puffs to see what it was like. Her exits would have been impossible to steal away unlike her smokes. I would have gotten my curiosity jollies and then could have put it out of mind and gone on about life non addicted. But not the case for me. She smoked cigs and I smoked. I dont want that to happen to the Gkid so I have rigged up a zero nic "sneak a puff" for if and when curiosity wants to kill the cat. My Gkid knows all about the evils of smoking and he celebrates my new vaping but there is no way in heaven one can teach abstinence from curiosity. I'm ready.

 

[Uma]

Exits should read ecigs. Dumb phone.

 

[Gingerzeronic]

Interesting thread. I wish my mom was a Vapetress back in the 60's when I took my first puffs to see what it was like. Her exits would have been impossible to steal away unlike her smokes. I would have gotten my curiosity jollies and then could have put it out of mind and gone on about life non addicted. But not the case for me. She smoked cigs and I smoked. I dont want that to happen to the Gkid so I have rigged up a zero nic "sneak a puff" for if and when curiosity wants to kill the cat. My Gkid knows all about the evils of smoking and he celebrates my new vaping but there is no way in heaven one can teach abstinence from curiosity. I'm ready.

You're right about the curiosity factor. Too bad parents can't rig up a zero sex or zero (X) device!

 

[Uma]

You're right about the curiosity factor. Too bad parents can't rig up a zero sex or zero (X) device!

lol. Ah but we do have a rig for that and that. Its called the radio. God bless Dr.Drew, Crazy Mike and Simone for the LoveLine Show.

 

[txteatime]

Two points: First, things are FAR different now than when I started smoking. In my day, it was cool and somewhat rebellious -- I worked in a newsroom and we all had our coffee and ashtrays on our desks. Things have changed in a BIG way. You can't smoke anywhere -- they're even trying to go after people who smoke on their own property. Employers are testing for nicotine and not hiring smokers. You can be denied insurance and medical care, as well. They need to be made fully aware of this and accept the reality or they will be adults living in our spare rooms because they can't get a job or rent their own place. That's what parents should be imparting -- that rightly or wrongly, nicotine in whatever form has become public enemy number one and using it can impede on your goals. I'm not condoning that -- I think it sux -- but it's the way of society now.

Secondly, kids still pick up smoking as a means of rebellion to some degree. So, how does the parental blessing on vaping help that situation? If they want to rebel, they're not going to eschew analogs and vape along with mum and/or dad! A lot of parents told us they didn't want us to go out drinking so we could stay home and drink with them? Did we? Sometimes. But we still sneaked into bars with fake IDs. It was more fun because it was rebellious. Sure, you can teach them about vaping but they'll likely be sneaking ciggies, too.

 

[Uma]

I started because I was curious about what it felt like to inhale and exhale. I was curious about how to puff out smoke rings. I was disgusted with the flavor, yet I kept trying it because I obviously wasn't doing it right or it would be oh so satisfying like it is for the adults. By the time I finally got it down, and saw what the fuss was all about, I was addicted. I'm not alone in this. The eCig is a different ballgame, but the same curiosity exists. However, the eCig will allow them to get to the point of boredom long before they ever get addicted. Later, if they rebel, they'll chose to vape like a teapot instead of smoke like chimney. It's a win win all the way around.

 

[John Phoenix]

Secondly, kids still pick up smoking as a means of rebellion to some degree. So, how does the parental blessing on vaping help that situation?

If they want to rebel, they're not going to eschew analogs and vape along with mum and/or dad! A lot of parents told us they didn't want us to go out drinking so we could stay home and drink with them? Did we? Sometimes. But we still sneaked into bars with fake IDs. It was more fun because it was rebellious. Sure, you can teach them about bvaping but they'll likely be sneaking ciggies, too.

Giving the teen an option to get their nicotine fix in a much safer way both parent and teen can live with will go a long way towards that teen not developing smoking related illness and death from smoking. The teen will feel less stressed because the parent won't be on their backs to quit all the time.

There are tons of teens who will willingly vape around their parents. It's not like drinking. Drinking is a social thing. Having to have nicotine is a personal thing and is done anywhere everywhere and as often as they can without the social group.

Just like adults who switch, I believe most teens who switch do not sneak smokes. They are using the e-cig to begin with to get off harmful tobacco smoke.

Many parents do not mind if their kids smoke - they willfully allow it but are still conscious of the harm that will one day happen to the teen as they get older. These parents will more welcome their teen using e-cigs.

I cannot tell you how many parents I've met who tell me, I wish my teen smoker would switch to e-cigs.

I was a teen smoker. My Mom hated that I smoked but she could not stop me so she let me. Today we both agree that if e-cigs were around they would have been better for me and I would have used them. Teens would be tickled to death to be able to "smoke" around their parents and get away with it.

 

[gingersnaps]

I agree with this. I also feel that by just being in a vaping home rather than a smoking home this kids will understand the difference or at least all of my kids do. none of them can stand to be around smoke. I was like that to but still ended up smoking. if ecigs had been around right after I got that first satisfying puff on a real cig I would have been hunting down ecigs instead of more analogs.

my kids are educated on the difference. I do not tell them it is healthy but I say that it is not as bad as analogs. I dont want them to think that it is completely healthy. 1 because we aren't sure it is and 2 I dont just want to give them a free pass for it. so my only fear is one day I will odly loose a couple egos and use more juice than I thought I had.

I beleive being open and honest about the world helps kids make better decisions in the choices they make. but they will always experiment. my husband and I know drugs and achohol will someday happen but we teach our kids that drinking is not the problem getting drunk is. also if drugs are going to be tried never try one that causes instant addiction. that is exactly what my dad did with me. Also leading by example is important.I can enjoy drinking without being drunk and its helped get my hubby so he does not drink to get drunk like he did when we met. I have only ever tried mary j as a teen and never cared to go to the hard drugs. if parents would just stop throwing it all in the closet and never talk about it or stop being never do this never do that we would not have so many problems with out kids.

 

[Hiryu]

I cannot even begin to describe why this is such a terrible idea. Simply stating this kind of practice can single handedly destroy the e-cig industry with just the one documented case or that any ANTZ can dig this post and quote it at a court hearing to appeal the case e-cig vendors are predating on children just doesn't quite cut it.

My daughter is not an underage teen anymore, and she does not smoke nor vape. However, had she started to smoke at 12 or 13, I would have kept her away from my e-cigs or regular cigs until she was 18.

 

[gingersnaps]

any parent who thinks they can stop their child from doing anything is blind. educating you child in how to make good decisions themselves is the best way. I was actually in state care from the age of 14-18. I started smoking at 14 and nobody could stop me. my case worker or any of the many foster homes all tried and failed. from what I have observed and experienced is kids who are educated in an open manner are more likely to draw their own lines on things.

my bio dad did at least have an openness about drugs and alcohol. he just didn't spend much time on smoking. so if I ended up in a situation that was out of hand for me I still felt comfortable going to him or foster parent for help. if I had been hounded about it I probably would have been stuck because of fear of what an adult would do if they found out I was anywhere near something like a teen party.

I'm not saying to give them a free pass to do whatever but they need to know that if they do go to far they can trust you to help them. and again they need real education about things not just scare tactics.

here is an example with one of my own kids. last summer my 9 yr old came across some friends about his age smoking. he tried it out of curiousity but knew it was one thing to try it but he didn't want anything more to do with it or the kids doing it. on another occation he was with some friends that were being a bit mean to another kid. he stood up for the kid and is no longer friends with the bullies. and he told us right away in both cases what happened. I am proud of him for making the choices he did. a lot of parents if they saw the friends their kids had where not good would have a fit but he was left to make the choice. a lot of kids just care about being accepted and will still hold bad company even behind their parents backs. I just cant stress enough how being open is best for kids. if more parents were open there would be less kids getting stuck in bad situations they can't get out of.

 

[sethkal]

I believe 15 is a perfect age to educate them about smoking so the problems they face can get into will be declined, just describe how life would be this way or then show them the more positive way.

PV is the new technology of our day, we should use it.

 

[apuck]

As others have mentioned, education is key. As a kid I did all kinds of crazy and wacky things, from jumping off bridges, hitchhiking, jumping on and riding trains, and yes smoking. I don't feel like a hypocrite telling my kids that they should not do these things. I feel that they should be educated and learn from my mistakes, to take these lessons and be better people. That is how society evolves, make the next generation better than the one before. The suggestion of getting a kid a pv if they want to smoke is akin to purchasing them a vibrator if they show interest in sex, or methadone if they think drugs might be fun, its a ridiculous idea. Tell them not to do something and why, and if they don't listen punish them. We over indulge our kids today, and give in because it's easier. Being a parent is not easy, and if you care, then take a stand put your foot down, and don't give in.

 

[Trucapri]

I believe 15 is a perfect age to educate them about smoking so the problems they face can get into will be declined, just describe how life would be this way or then show them the more positive way.

PV is the new technology of our day, we should use it.

By 15 I was a PAD smoker . . . uh, TOO LATE!!

I was reared by a terrific parent. I only had one and he was great. He didn't preach right from wrong. He didn't lecture. He talked to me . . . not sit down, face to face when something particular needed to be addressed, but every moment we were together . . . while washing dishes, picking vegetables, watching TV. When I made a comment or asked a question that gave him the opportunity to make a difference, he was there, listening, and offering his perspective. And the biggest influence . . . he led by example. He was a smoker. IF he had made that a topic of discussion, what did he have to offer to back it up?? Hypocrisy? He knew I smoked and never said a word . . . including not making it ok. He saw me smoke for the first time when he came to "MY" home. And he still never said a word. His silence about smoking taught me something I value much more . . . he taught me honesty.

 

[lilith79]

We recently discovered that my 12 year old son has been smoking on and off for 2 years. You can bet your bippy that to wean him off I am using an e-cig with him, with the goal of no nic in 2 weeks. He is not allowed to use it as he sees fit, it is under my supervision and only a few times a day since he only smoked 2-3 cigs a day. It's better than the alternative, him continuing to smoke and destroying his health. If, when he turns 18, he wants to vape full time, that is fine. But for now, it is only a patch to get him off of nicotine. We are doing other things too, like he can't be alone outside of the house, not even in our own yard cuz he was picking up partial cigs from the road/sidewalk and smoking them! Ewww!! There are no smokers in this house, so nothing to steal here.

 

[ahall]

I cannot even begin to describe why this is such a terrible idea. Simply stating this kind of practice can single handedly destroy the e-cig industry with just the one documented case or that any ANTZ can dig this post and quote it at a court hearing to appeal the case e-cig vendors are predating on children just doesn't quite cut it.

My daughter is not an underage teen anymore, and she does not smoke nor vape. However, had she started to smoke at 12 or 13, I would have kept her away from my e-cigs or regular cigs until she was 18.

i started smoking at 12 yrs old. by 14 it was an addiction for me. did my parents bust me. heck yeah. i was grounded, had my smokes taken away, wasnt able to leave my house except to go to school. but guess what. they were UNABLE to keep me away from cigarettes. i would have more within 2 hours of waking up the next day. if your child had started to smoke young the only way you would have been able to keep her away from them would have been to be with her 24 hours a day 7 days a week. which for 99 percent of people that is very much impossible.

that said. i have mixed feelings on this subject with having 3 boys. at the moment none of them can stand people smoking. but then again neither could i when i was their age. i even wore a smoking stinks button everyday.and to this day i can not stand cigarette smoke anywhere near me. unless it was my own. i pray that my children never smoke. but it is a very big possiblity. and i will decide what to do when it comes to that. but i do understand both sides of this argument

 

[ahall]

By 15 I was a PAD smoker . . . uh, TOO LATE!!

I was reared by a terrific parent. I only had one and he was great. He didn't preach right from wrong. He didn't lecture. He talked to me . . . not sit down, face to face when something particular needed to be addressed, but every moment we were together . . . while washing dishes, picking vegetables, watching TV. When I made a comment or asked a question that gave him the opportunity to make a difference, he was there, listening, and offering his perspective. And the biggest influence . . . he led by example. He was a smoker. IF he had made that a topic of discussion, what did he have to offer to back it up?? Hypocrisy? He knew I smoked and never said a word . . . including not making it ok. He saw me smoke for the first time when he came to "MY" home. And he still never said a word. His silence about smoking taught me something I value much more . . . he taught me honesty.

that made me shed a tear.

 

[jch419]

Definitely with the soda and coffee (caff). I personally love caffeine and wish I didn't consume so much. Most everyone drank soda as kids growing up and even my kids have soda from time to time, if we go out to a restaurant etc. Interesting points though...

Hopefully kids are more educated these days about the effects of tobacco-cigarettes and think it be 'gross'. When I was 13 I lit up cigs for the first time and went on to smoke for 22 years-before finally finding vaping. Obviously kids should just say no to cigs altogether, but in the real world that sadly just isn't the truth-but I do think when I was younger, the effects of smoking weren't so readilly available and we associated it with cool camels wearing sunglasses.