Talking to YOUTH about vaping…

BEFORE YOU HAVE A CHAT GET THE FACTS

It is easier than ever to hide the vast array of discrete vape devices. Get an idea of what vaping devices look like before you start your talk.

HOW CAN I TELL IF OR WHAT MY YOUTH ARE VAPING?

This is the problem; these products are so discrete it can be very hard to tell if your youth is vaping. The vape devices can look like highlighters, flash drives, and other small tech devices. They smell great as well, leaving the people around them unaware that they are even vaping.

START BY LISTENING

Listening to your youth allows them to feel safe, and heard. This will encourage your youth to not feel judged and will talk openly to you. Youth can change their thoughts on this topic, the more they get educated, but listening to their opinion and genuinely listening to their thoughts will keep an open conversation between you and your youth. This will give your youth confidence that you are truly listening to them and in return, they will listen to you.

WHAT IF YOU FIND OUT THEY ARE VAPING?

If you find out your youth is vaping, take this as an amazing opportunity to find out why.

Ask your youth questions like,

“Tell me more about what led you to vape?”

“What are some of the reasons?”

Find out the WHY. Ask them how their mental health is, how their friendships are going, how is school, are stressed about something. What is the deeper root for vaping, or are they just vaping because of peer pressure? These questions are open-ended and non-judgmental.

ARE THEY INTERESTED IN QUITTING?

If yes, then praise them and congratulate them. Ask your youth how they would like to get educated on quitting…

**We have a quit counselor they can talk to 204-774-5501

do they want to talk to a doctor? Do they want to read up on resources (www.mb.lung.ca)? Do they want to call a helpline?

In Manitoba, our helpline will help youth as young as 12 years old who are thinking about quitting vaping, smoking, or chewing.

They can enroll themselves; it’s very easy, at www.smokershelpline.ca

Or

They can call the smokers helpline and get set up with an online quit program or one on one coaching over the phone. 1-877-513-5333

These options are FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, and NON-JUDGEMENTAL.

RECOGNIZE TEACHABLE MOMENTS

If the topic comes up, just simply ask your youth how they feel about it? Their opinions will change over time, maintain an open relationship.