Parent + Caregiver Resources

RESOURCES

For parents + caregivers.

Step off the sidelines, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your teen, and be on their team. Not sure where to start? Here’s the gameplan.

I vape when I feel uncomfortable.

I vape when I feel stressed.

I vape when I feel awkward.

signs your

teen

might be

vaping.

Unfamiliar Gadgets

Vaping devices can be sneaky. They often look like common items, so keep an eye out for new pens or USB flash drives with small holes on the ends.

You might also spot unfamiliar USB charging cables or find strange trash in your teen’s room, like discarded pods, atomizers, or cotton balls.

Physical Health Changes

Vaping often causes some real physical changes. Watch for a persistent dry mouth, increased thirst, or frequent nosebleeds, all of which can be signs of dehydration from vaping.

Vaping can also irritate the lungs and airways, leading to a lingering dry cough, wheezing, or more frequent lung infections.

Mood + Behavioral Shifts

Vaping can cause noticeable shifts in your teen’s mood and behavior. Keep an eye out for mood swings, irritability, anger, or restlessness — which are common signs of nicotine cravings.

Vaping can also disrupt sleep, leading to excessive tiredness. You may also notice a drop in their academic or athletic performance, or a new habit of taking secretive, short trips outside.

What to do if your teen is vaping.

Hint: Don’t panic.

Stay calm, listen + don’t lecture.

Approach the conversation with curiosity — not anger or punishment — to understand your teen’s perspective and the pressures they might be facing. If they’re honest with you, thank them for it. (It’ll make it easier to have tough convos in the future.)

Give them info + motivation to quit.

Help your teen understand the risks, like increased anxiety or potential lung damage, and connect them to what they care about most — like doing well in sports or school.

Work with them to find their own personal motivation to quit, whether it’s to feel healthier, save money, or just be free from the vape.

Connect with professional support.

You don’t have to do it alone — and neither does your teen! Get support from your teen’s primary doctor, and explore free online resources, like the ones found here.

If you suspect your teen is vaping to cope with stress or anxiety, consider connecting them with a therapist or counselor so they start to manage those feelings in a healthier way.

Easy conversation starters.

Talk with your teen about vaping + get them opening up.

See where they’re at.

“I’ve noticed vaping has become more common, right? What’ve you heard about it from your friends, and what you think about it?”

Focus on their wellbeing.

“I recently heard about the risks of vaping, and I don’t love them. Can we talk about it so I can understand more about why you might choose to do it? I’m not here to judge.”

Become a resource.

“There’s a ton of information out there about vaping and whether or not it’s that bad. Some of that info’s true, and some of it’s not. Just so you know, I’m here if you want to talk about the risks. Would you want to research the facts together?”

Partner up.

“Lately I’ve been thinking about not vaping anymore. With the long-term health risks and everything, I’m ready to start cutting back. Do you want to team up and quit vaping together?”

How to make the convo better for both of you.

Your playbook for tough conversations.

Create time for short chats.

Avoid a long, overwhelming, one-off lecture that leaves both of you exhausted. Instead, opt for a series of brief, open conversations.

Empathize with their experience.

Once you remember what it was like to be a teen and release as much judgement as you can, you’ll start seeing stronger trust and a deeper connection.

Listen more than you talk.

Encourage a two-way convo by getting curious and asking more follow-up questions to whatever answer they give.

Know the facts.

Equip yourself with knowledge about nicotine addiction, the harmful chemicals in vapes, and how sneaky marketing influences teens.

FAQS

If I’m here about vaping, why are you telling me about mental health support?

Love that you’re asking this. Teens (and people in general) start vaping for all sorts of reasons — though 81% of teens vape to try and cope with uncomfortable feelings like stress, overwhelm, loneliness, or anger.

While vaping might feel like it helps, it actually worsens all those feelings over time…which causes you to vape more…which then means those feelings get even more uncomfortable. (It’s a crummy cycle.)

By connecting you with easy-to-use mental health resources, we’re here to support you in swapping out your vape for other habits that make you happier longterm. Happiness is good, and you deserve it.

As far as I know, my teen isn’t vaping. How do I support them in not picking it up?

Information, open conversations, nonjudgey support, and encouraging them to turn to healthier coping skills are all great steps to keep your teen vape-free. As a starting point, we’ve developed a list of simple, effecting coping skills on our Teens + Students Resources page.

Where can I learn more info about the risks and effects of vaping?

We’ve compiled a crash course of data and info to keep you informed, over on Vape 101. You can also check out our Sources page, which links you directly to a list of helpful sites and articles. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, so stick to government and research-driven sites to only get the best of the best.

My teen is vaping. Is it all my fault?

Of course not. Teens vape for all sorts of reasons, and your teen vaping isn’t a sign of bad parenting. (Not anywhere close.) Blaming yourself doesn’t help your teen change their vaping habits, and let us remind you that vaping is not some sort of moral failure.

So, if it’s not about me, why is my teen vaping?

Teens start vaping for all sorts of reasons. Whether it’s peer pressure, curiosity, or a way to cope with stress, there’s no single answer for this. (Oh, and the fact that Big Vape invests billions of dollars in marketing specifically to teens doesn’t help, either.) To get to the root cause of your teen’s vaping, we suggest opening a nonjudgey conversation with them.

Am I allowed to ask my teen to quit if I’m also vaping? Do I need to quit, too?

Great question. YES, you’re allowed! And no, you don’t need to quit, too. Not only are you the one in charge, but it’s not about who’s using what in this situation — it’s that brains need time to fully mature, and yours already has. The health risks are a lot greater before the age of 25, as brains continue to develop.

If I want to quit, can my teen and I do this together?

Absolutely! Your teen can find specific resources right here — which you can use, too! You can also call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to connect with someone who specializes in helping adults quit. No matter which avenue you choose, all of these are anonymous, 24/7, free + trusted sources of support.