Now is the time to talk to children about vaping

The Great American Smokeout this Thursday, November 15 was a great excuse for parents to talk to their children about the use of electronic cigarettes, or vaping. Traditionally, the focus has been on traditional smoking. But now, with the increasing use and increasing popularity of vaping, with devices like Juul that may not be recognizable as a device for smoking and flavors like cinnamon and cherry that seem user-friendly for Consumers, it is important that people of all ages speak real risks of vaping.

I remember seeing my first Juul camera there not long ago, when a teenage patient showed me it. It was during a routine examination and the conversation started with the use of tobacco. The 16-year-old said, "I do not smoke – I'm a little vape, but I do not smoke." Then, out of his backpack, he happily pulled out that camera that looked like a USB stick, and he recounted how all his friends had vanished and that he had his favorite tastes.

I said, "OK, let's talk about that. What do you know about vaping? He was sure that all there was in it was the flavor and maybe a little nicotine. We created a website that lists about 65 chemicals that were in the product or were formed during the spraying process. Some of them are known carcinogens. I can not say that I convinced him of any health risks, but I at least tried to educate him.

The electronic cigarette helps to normalize nicotine consumption. And it's a problem because, unfortunately, it can undo decades of progress in public health. Some studies have shown success in adults who wean themselves off combustible cigarettes using electronic cigarettes. So, maybe the teenage population hears parents or grandparents saying, "Oh, my doctor told me to switch to e-cigarettes, and I do not smoke anymore." The predominant message that seems to be airing now is that is secure. And it's the opposite of safe. Nicotine and vaporized flavors may contain fewer chemicals, but they are nevertheless chemicals.

And then there is the problem of nicotine. I come from a solid background in addiction medicine. Nicotine is addictive, and it's not a good thing for a teenager, brain development. This can have a negative impact on brain development, making it more difficult to concentrate, learn and control impulses. And, more and more evidence shows that nicotine prepares the brain for dependence on other substances; this can lead to another drug use later.

With my adolescent or pre-adolescent patients, even 11 or 12 years old, I always ask, "What do you know about vaping?" Parents often do not know much about electronic cigarettes. It is therefore important that they learn first. It's understandable. It's something new to which we parents had no idea when we were growing up.

As for children, after about 14 years, I talk to them without the parents in the room, and they are pretty open. They will tell you that they have friends who are vape or have tried. As a general rule, young people are already well acquainted with the harmful effects of combustible cigarettes, which makes conversation easier for a doctor. But with vaping, I have to start at the beginning with questions such as: "Did you know that they contain these harmful chemicals? Did you know that e-cigarettes are not regulated in the same way as regular tobacco products? What do you think of something that is presented to you as a child without worrying about your health? Children are very caring and generally have negative opinions about it.

I have three children, including a 10 year old. She and her friends spend a lot of time on YouTube watching videos made by "influencers" who can sell or standardize all kinds of products. My own daughter is fascinated by this world – all young people seem to be fascinated by it. And they know a lot more than we think we know. So, I even advise parents of teenagers to start the discussion about the risks of vaping. There is no bad time to talk about it.