Young people are influenced directly and indirectly by the adults in their lives. Your attitude towards vaping will inform what the young people around you think about vaping. Vaping and smoking rates for young people are higher when parents or older siblings also vape or smoke.
Things you can do
- Encourage them and support their journey to quit.
- They might think quitting is too hard – don’t challenge these feelings. Offer to help support them in seeking help.
- Learn about addiction to nicotine and understand that quitting can be very difficult – especially in the early days.
- Attend appointments with them to help them talk to healthcare professionals, like a school nurse, doctor or trusted health professional, about quitting vaping.
- Remind them that health experts say there is no safe way to vape.
- Celebrate their attempts and successes with encouragement or acknowledgement that they’re trying to give up.
- Be informed and ready to provide accurate advice and support.
- Let them know that there are resources and support services to help them quit.
Don't be confused by the lingo.
Vapes, mods, E cigs and vape pens are all forms of E cigarettes.
14 to 24 year olds today are the 1st generation to be exposed to nicotine largely through vaping rather than cigarettes.
One in three teenagers have tried vaping and about one in five are currently vaping.
This guide will help you approach the topic of vaping with your child or a young person you care about.
Starting a conversation about vaping might feel tricky, but it's important. Get ready to listen and talk without judgement, be curious and interested in their thoughts and feelings, and provide a safe environment for two way conversation.
But first, let's get the facts about vaping.
Vaping is using an e-cigarrete or vape, a battery operated device that can look like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, highlighters or a USB.
The aerosol, mist or vapor from vapes is made from heating liquid chemicals that are then inhaled.
Illegal vapes often have flavours added to the E liquid and this can make them smell and taste sweet.
It's the sweet flavours that appeal to young people.
Over 200 unique chemicals have been found in illegal vapes, including formaldehyde, nicotine and heavy metals.
Most vapes in Australia contain nicotine, even when the packaging says they don't, and nicotine is addictive.
In young people, nicotine can harm brain development and affect attention, learning, memory and mood.
Here are some tips to help you start talking about vaping.
Choose the right time and place.
Pick a time to chat when you and your child are not rushed and find a place where you are both relaxed.
Don't make assumptions if you think they may have tried vaping.
Avoid making accusations and focus on the facts.
Avoid judging or lecturing.
Be prepared to listen to their point of view and have a two way conversation and ask open-ended questions that encourage a conversation rather than trying to say all the right things the first time.
Consider your conversations a work in progress, like trying to quit vaping.
It might take a few goes, but once you start talking to each other, it is easier to keep talking openly.
During the conversation, remember to listen actively, provide accurate information, and don't exaggerate.
Talk about peer pressure, health, and take time to explain your concerns.
Once a young person decides they want to quit vaping, helping them find support like the My Quit Buddy app can help them succeed.
They can also talk to a professional Quit Line counsellor about vaping and how to quit.
You can get advice on what you can do as a parent or carer too.
For more information or to get help to quit, visit health.gov.au/vaping.
Escape the vape: a conversation guide for parents and carers
Having a conversation about vaping might feel tricky, but it’s important to do. Check out this video animation to guide you through it.
Resources for parents and carers
These resources provide guidance for parents and carers wanting to talk to their young person about vaping.
![Cover page Youth vaping campaign [English]](/sites/default/files/styles/h_thumbnail_max_width/public/2024-07/youth-vaping-conversation-guide-for-parents-and-carers_7.png?itok=iR8idE0Y)
Youth vaping conversation guide for parents and carers
Youth vaping fact sheet for parents and carers
Youth vaping FAQs for parents and carers
Escape the vape: supporting young people who vape
Watch these short videos for guidance on how to support young people who vape.
Rather than trying to say all the right things the first time, consider your conversations a work in progress.
Like trying to quit vaping, it might take a few goes, but once you start talking to each other, it is easier to keep talking openly.
During the conversation, remember to listen actively, provide accurate information and don't exaggerate.
Talk about peer pressure, health and take time to explain your concerns.
For more information, information or to get help to quit, visit health.gov.au/vaping.
Here are some tips to help you start talking about vaping.
1 – choose the right time and place. Pick a time to chat when you and your child are not rushed and find a place where you are both relaxed.
2 – Don't make assumptions. If you think they may have tried vaping, avoid making accusations and focus on the facts.
3 – Avoid judging or lecturing. Be prepared to listen to their point of view and have a two way conversation.
4 – Ask open-ended questions that encourage a conversation.
For more information or to get help to quit, visit health.gov.au/vaping.
Vaping is using an e-cigarrete or ‘vape’, a battery operated device that can look like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, highlighters or a USB.
The aerosol (mist or vapor) from vapes is made from heating liquid chemicals that are then inhaled.
Illegal vapes often have flavours added to the e-liquid and this can make them smell and taste sweet.
It's the sweet flavours that appeal to young people.
Over 200 unique chemicals have been found in illegal vapes, including formaldehyde, nicotine and heavy metals.
Most vapes in Australia contain nicotine, even when the packaging says they don't, and nicotine is addictive.
In young people. nicotine can harm brain development and affect attention, learning, memory and mood.
For more information or to get help to quit, visit health.gov.au/vaping.
Once a young person decides they want to quit vaping, helping them find support like the My Quit Buddy app can help them succeed.
They can also talk to a professional Quit Line counsellor about vaping and how to quit.
You can get advice on what you can do as a parent or carer too.
For more information or to get help to quit, visit health.gov.au/vaping.