Parental Warnings
With adolescents at a heightened risk for e-cigarette use , it is crucial for parents to recognize the warning signs early , enabling them to intervene and address the issue promptly .
Jen Folkenroth , national senior director of Tobacco Programs at the American Lung Association , explains that many children who vape are using flavored product that emit a strong , sweet aroma . Given that e-cigarette vapor disappears after a short time , parents should look out for these scents around their children .
Folkenroth also says changes in temperament are common in children who vape , as they may experience increased irritability and unpredictable or extreme mood swings .
Parents can also look for discarded products around their home to identify if their child is vaping .
“ Vape pens can look like markers , pens or USB flash drives ,” Folkenroth says . “ Since these kids are using the flavored products , they are using the disposable flavor pods , and — because the disposable products continue to have these flavors and they are the most commonly used by today ’ s teens — looking for discarded pods , potentially in the trash or in your kids ’ jean pockets or jacket pockets could be another key indicator that your child is using these products .”
By staying alert to these signs and having open conversations with their children , parents can play a vital role in addressing and preventing e-cigarette use . Early intervention is key to protecting adolescents from the harmful effects of vaping .
Folkenroth says when people use e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking , they often end up becoming dual users of both products , and sometimes begin using other tobacco products as well . Furthermore , e-cigarettes are not FDAapproved as a cigarette cessation tool . She emphasizes that there are FDA-approved medications for this purpose and encourages anyone wishing to quit to seek these out rather
than switching to a different tobacco product .
A useful tool in stopping tobacco use is education — especially before children might try e-cigarettes — to prevent them from wanting to use these harmful products or help them understand why it is so important to quit .
To help children understand the harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes , the American Lung Association tries comparing
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