Earlier this year, paediatricians warned vaping is “fast becoming an epidemic among children”.
While the long-term effects of vaping are still relatively unknown, researchers in Canada showed that young individuals who vape are twice as likely to experience chronic stress compared to their peers who do not vape.
Meanwhile, a study in Singapore revealed that all of the different flavours enticed young people to experiment with traditional and electronic cigarettes and may play a part in early cigarette preferences.
If you discover your child or teenager has been vaping, Fiona Yassin, a family psychotherapist and the Wave Clinic’s founder and clinical director, has answered some of the most frequently asked questions from parents on the topic.
She says social influence can heavily influence young people to start the habit.
“Vapes and e-cigarette products often contain features that are appealing to teenagers and young adults, such as a diversity of shapes, colours, and flavours. The influence of social media may also play a role, with many ‘influencers’ and profiles with high numbers of followers posting photos of e-cigarettes.
“Social media can affect the perceptions of vaping even in places where other types of advertisement are banned. Finally, misconceptions about the health consequences of vaping undoubtedly encourage the use of the products.”
How can I speak to my child about vaping?
Having an open conversation is key if you’re concerned that your child is vaping, according to Yassin.
“Make sure that you come from a place of care and concern rather than judgement. Listen to what they have to say and ask them questions about the reasons that they vape.
“Avoid using threats and ultimatums; instead, tell them directly and clearly that you don’t want them to vape and explain the dangers and risks,” she advises.
She also stresses that if a young person has opted to use an e-cigarette that contains nicotine, then they may have developed an addiction to vaping, in which case professional help should be sought.
“Addiction is a medical condition caused by physical changes in the brain that can make it hard to stop without treatment or support.
“Doctors, other mental health professionals, and specialist programmes can offer effective support for smoking cessation and help young people leave e-cigarettes behind.”
Understanding the risks
While a parent or guardian may be fully aware of the risks and dangers of vaping, their child may not be and could believe that it is a harmless habit.
Most e-cigarettes will contain nicotine even when they are advertised or sold as ‘nicotine-free’, according to Yassin.
Research has found that nicotine may harm a young person’s developing brain, affecting brain regions that control learning, mood, attention, and impulse control.
“When we create new memories or learn new skills, we build connections between different brain cells. These connections are known as synapses.
“During the adolescent developmental stage, our brains build synapses more quickly, helping young people to learn new skills.
Nicotine can impact the way that our brains form synapses, causing stronger connections between certain brain cells and regions, which, in turn, can change the way that different parts of the brain communicate with each other and speed up or slow down brain activity.
These changes can affect the way young people learn and retain information, their ability to focus, and their impulsivity.
Using nicotine during adolescence also comes with the added risk of developing addictions when they are older.
There is also a wealth of research linking traditional cigarettes to ‘social maladaptation.’
This pertains to thoughts and behavioural patterns that make it harder for young people to navigate daily life.
Research shows that cigarette smoking is linked to:
- Poor academic performance
- Sleep problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Attention deficits
- Depression
- Aggressive and impulsive behaviour.
“Some scientists think that these connections may be partially underpinned by a phenomenon known as oxidative stress, a kind of imbalance in the body that is responsible for many of the harmful effects of cigarette smoke,” Yassin warns.
“Researchers have found that many chemicals found in e-cigarettes, including flavouring, e-liquids and the metallic coil, may cause oxidative stress in young people. As a result, smoking e-cigarettes may affect a young person’s mental health, education, and behaviours – with or without the presence of nicotine.”
“Vaping puts young people at risk of developing serious health conditions. It has been linked to lung disease, heart disease and some types of cancer.”
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