How to Talk to Your Teen about Vaping

Tiffany Beaudine — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:15:54 Z

How to Talk to your Teen about Vaping

New shoes. Check. New backpacks. Check. New school Supplies. Check. New vape pens. What!?

As you are getting your teen ready to head back-to-school, I am sure vape pens did not make it to the top of your school supply shopping list, right? Well, did you know, that in 2024, over 40% of high school e-cigarette users vaped at least 20 days per month? And 30% of these users reported vaping every day? It may not seem like vaping is that prevalent until you consider the numbers and how dangerously addictive vaping truly is. On average, one singular cartridge or pod for a vape pen contains as much nicotine as an entire pack of 20 cigarettes. Sadly, vaping as an adolescent sets students up for a lifetime of addiction as an adult.

So, how do you broach this sensitive topic with your teen? The main goal is to be open, honest and look for teachable moments to bring up the conversation with them. Ask open-ended questions and then actually LISTEN when they respond instead of reacting. Hold the judgments and practice those active listening skills. The fastest way to get a teen to shut down is by passing quick judgment. Instead of saying, Why would you do such a thing?, try, Tell me more. Approach difficult conversations in a non-chalant way such as while you are cooking dinner or driving in the car together. Be supportive and show you care, no matter their response.

Another helpful approach is to have regular conversations with your kids about a variety of topics & not JUST when you have concern. This way it is not a one-time conversation, but rather is regular part of your normal cadence of communication and family life. In one of our family programs at Rainbow Days, we call it Me Time and it is where a child knows they get 15 minutes of undivided attention each day from their parent no phones, no tv, no siblings, no other distractions -- so that they can talk to their parent about whatever they would like to. This built in quality time has been Life Giving and Life Changing!

What would you do with 15 minutes set aside each day to touch base with you and your child? How many topics might naturally bubble to the surface? Try it today and let me know how it goes. Wishing you and your student a happy and healthy start to this new school year!

For more resources and tips on how to talk to your child about substance use: https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/protectkids/resources-for-parents/tips-on-talking-to-your-kids?utm_medium=paidads&utm_source=googleads&utm_content=Parent&utm_campaign=AlwaysOnSearch2025&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22667231500&gbraid=0AAAAACtKTYw0YvEfKlfOhCejxX69t4VUy&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqebEBhD9ARIsAFZMbfxMEDVsrbq8AMMoPYkcFeDmtXplJlUjNpkFsKFfmA8mjrcfY1XejjEaAkfXEALw_wcB

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How to Talk to Your Teen about Vaping