Information for parents and carers
If you are concerned that your child is vaping, you may find this Quit vaping guide for parents and carers useful.
Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to talk to your child about vaping. We’ve put together some advice that might help.
- Pick the right time: Start the chat when vaping naturally comes up, like seeing someone vape or passing a vape shop.
- Ask open questions: Find out what they think about vaping and why people do it.
- Listen carefully: Show interest in their views and learn from them.
- Take it step by step: Spread the conversation over several talks so it’s not overwhelming.
- Share facts calmly: Explain that vapes aren’t harmless and be clear that smoking is even riskier.
- Show you care: Make clear why you don’t want them to vape or smoke and that sellers put profit over health.
- Talk about reasons: Discuss why young people vape (fitting in, curiosity, stress) and practice ways to resist pressure.
- If they vape: Ask what they like about it and suggest healthier alternatives without approving the habit.
- Teach refusal skills: Help them say confidently, “No thanks, it’s not for me.”
- Give trusted resources: Point them to reliable sites like Talk to FRANK for accurate info.
Your questions answered
My son has asked me which is worse—smoking or vaping?
Smoking is more harmful due to the toxic tar and carbon monoxide found in tobacco smoke, which can cause cancer, lung disease and heart disease.
Does vaping help my teenager cope with stress and anxiety?
Vaping can actually increase stress and anxiety - nicotine highs fade quickly, causing stress between uses. Quitting reduces these ups and downs, making stress easier to manage.
My teenager is worried about losing friends if they quit vaping – any advice?
It’s hard when friends vape. Reassure them that they can still be friends without vaping – they are not saying it’s wrong, just that they are choosing to do something different. Some friends may even support or join them in quitting.
Vapes are not as addictive as cigarettes though, right?
While cigarettes pose a higher risk of nicotine dependency than vaping, any nicotine use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms can be hard to manage.
My child has admitted that they vape constantly and is worried - what should I do?
The fact that they have opened up is a good sign – they trust you and are ready to make a change. Help them to set limits – they could put the vape out of sight or ask someone to keep it for them, restrict use to certain times or places and get help to reduce their nicotine intake gradually.
How can I protect my teenager from spiked vapes?
Spiking often happens when vapes are swapped among young people. Explain that illegal vapes can contain harmful unknown substances, and that accepting a vape off someone else means they don’t know where it is from or what the contents are. Encourage them not to accept vapes from others.
Should I worry about nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small wads of cellulose impregnated with nicotine and flavouring – not to be confused with snus/tobacco pouches which contain powdered tobacco and are illegal in the UK. Nicotine pouches may contain high nicotine levels, can legally be sold to young people and may lead to dependence. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of all nicotine products to under 18s.
Does vaping cause popcorn lung?
Popcorn lung (a rare disease called bronchiolitis obliterans) is caused by inhaling diacetyl, a chemical found in some e-cigarettes. However, diacetyl is banned in UK-regulated vapes.
Can vapes explode?
Vape explosions can occur due to battery malfunctions, device defects, or user error but this is relatively rare.
Our ‘Vape Brain’ campaign aims to help young people understand the risks associated with nicotine vapes. Find out more about the Vape Brain campaign on our news pages.
With thanks to Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes City Council for allowing us to use content from the Choose You ‘How to quit vaping: a guide for under 18s’.