Vaping is a serious concern for young people. During adolescence, the brain is still developing until the mid-20s, and nicotine can harm this crucial development, impacting concentration, impulse control, and worsening mental health (U.S. DHHS).  Beyond nicotine, vape aerosols contain harmful chemicals that damage lungs and other organs. Appealing flavors and designs often hide these risks and can lead to addiction. 

How to Help Your Teen Quit

Whether you are planning to discuss vaping, marijuana, or other substance use, the following are keys to setting the stage for an effective conversation. Consider your own energy and feelings before you talk with a loved one, plan your key points, and don’t expect a one-and-done conversation. It is important to get in the right frame of mind.

• Keep Open and Honest Communication: 

• When a child feels judged or condemned, they will be less receptive to the message. Ask them why they started vaping and what makes it appealing to them. Listen actively to their responses and validate their feelings. Sharing accurate information about the health risks can be powerful. Try to project objectivity and openness.

• Offer empathy and compassion. Put yourself in your kid’s shoes. Let your child know you understand. Acknowledge that everyone struggles sometimes.

• Express Your Concerns and Support:

• Clearly state your concerns about their vaping habits and emphasize your desire to help them quit. Let them know that you are there to support them through the process, offering encouragement and understanding.

• Be calm and relaxed. Approaching the conversation with anger or panic will make it harder to achieve your goals.

• Be clear about your goals. Approach it in words that show your main goal is for them to be healthy and happy, and make safe choices.

• Encourage Self-Quitting:

• Empower your teen by discussing their desire to quit and offering resources that can help them achieve this goal independently. "More than half of middle and high school students who currently use e-cigarettes want to quit and have tried to quit" (U.S. DHHS).

Remember:

• Don’t lecture. It will most likely lead to shutting down, tuning you out, anger, or worse.

• Be aware of body language. Finger-pointing and crossed arms are closed gestures, while uncrossed legs and a relaxed posture are more open.

• Find a comfortable setting. Announcing a sit-down meeting will likely be met with resistance, while a more spontaneous, casual approach will lower anxiety (including your own).

• If your child is suffering, reassure them that you are there to support, not to shame, and will seek out appropriate professional help, and then do just that. 

• If you notice the conversation is not going anywhere (some kids don’t know how to express their feelings, pressing for an answer doesn’t help), just request a raincheck. Set clear expectations for the next conversation to mutual sharing and working toward solutions. 

Visit the Parent/Guardian Resource Page on My Life My Quit and contact your healthcare provider for help with support, education, and treatment options, including nicotine replacement therapy. Find local resources at:

• Sawtooth Mountain Clinic: 218-387-2330

• Grand Portage Health Services: 218-475-2235

If you are a youth, asking for help can be scary, especially if you are fearful of punishment.  Reaching out to a trusted adult for help navigating the winding road of recovery can make a difference. Another resource available is My Life My Quit: their coaches can talk you through ways to ask for help, even practice what to say ahead of time. Any youth ages 13 or older can text “start” to 36072 or visit MyLifeMyQuit.com to get started. The more support you have, the better your chances are of meeting your goal.

To learn more about how to strengthen our community, join us at the Prevention Coalition. Meetings take place on the First Tuesday of each month, 1 pm at Cook County Higher Education. 

For Prevention Coalition information, contact Andrea Orest at [email protected].

For Youth topics, contact Rocio Rivas at [email protected].

Helpful Resources:

Vaping 2025: What’s changed & what Parents need to know. 

Staying True to You: Navigating Uncomfortable Situations Surrounding Drugs in Middle School

Quitting Tips for Cannabis

Helping Teens Quit Smoking and Vaping | American Lung Association