Vaping and Smoking – What it Does to Your Children

If you are vaping or smoking around your children, you are putting them in danger. Even vaping, once thought to be a safer alternative to smoking has been linked to at least 7 deaths in recent weeks – putting it in the spotlight, and under scrutiny by health officials and the United States government.

Health-Related Illnesses

Vaping has become popular among teens – and those who have a desire to quit smoking or just prefer it over smoking. Aside from nicotine (or marijuana), vapes also contain other harmful chemicals. Both cigarettes and vapes have chemicals that should never be used around children, or by children.

The recent deaths and illnesses caused by vaping are mostly related to serious lung disease, even among people that have only been vaping a short-time. Since vaping has not been around long, there are so many unanswered questions when it comes to the effects on one’s health. Doing it, or allowing anyone else to do it around your child is simply playing with their health.

If you have older children, chances are they have been exposed to both cigarettes and vaping. It’s vital that you talk to them

Talk to Your Kids

Young children are exposed to vaping and cigarettes at an alarming rate. Especially vaping has become a popular choice among youngsters due to the vast array of flavors – not to mention social media challenges (think smoke rings) that have popped up over the years. Talking to your kids is the best way to prevent them from trying them.

Sit down and talk with your child, then use every opportunity you have to bring up the conversation again. Whether a letter from the school is sent home, or an advertisement comes on the TV, or you’ve simply passed by a vape or smoke shop. Listen to your children, and ask them questions to inspire a conversation.

Things like “What do you think about vaping?”, or “Did you hear about the student that died from lung cancer?” can all lead to good conversations above and beyond reinforcing the no-vaping and no-smoking rule at home. Be willing to listen to your child – and be ready to get them the help they need if they’ve already become addicted to any substances.

Grace Wells

Grace Wells grew up in the kind of town where no one locked their doors and parents felt safe letting their kids wander. Things have changed a lot since then. As a mother today, Grace has to worry about so much more than skinned knees and hurt feelings.

Grace believes the best way to keep kids safe is to stay informed. She hopes that her work at Kids Safety 101 makes a difference in children’s lives so that they can grow up as carefree as she did.

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