The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized some flavored e-cigarettes, intended for adults looking to quit or cut back on traditional cigarettes. However, this decision has raised concerns among doctors that youth vaping rates may rise again.

The Dangers of Vaping

Vaping poses many dangers to kids, including respiratory problems, nicotine addiction, and long-term health effects that are not yet clear. According to Dr. Devika Rao, many kids who vape experience coughing, worsening asthma, bronchitis, and more severe types of lung disease.

Studies show that teens who vape report higher rates of wheezing, shortness of breath, and a reduced ability to tolerate exercise. Nicotine addiction can disrupt the developing brain and affect attention, learning, and mood.

How to Talk to Your Child About Vaping

Experts advise parents to start open-ended conversations with their kids about vaping. Ask your child what they know about vaping and its harms, whether they’ve seen e-cigarettes, and if their friends are using them.

Even if your kid is already vaping, take a deep breath and don’t yell. Be nonjudgmental and consider what your child may see on social media, where some influencers promote nicotine as a stress-relief hack.

Arming kids with information is better than simply trying to limit access to vapes. Most teens get e-cigarettes from friends, older peers, or online sellers, rather than buying them in a store.

Parents can help their kids quit by first seeing their doctor, who can connect them with counseling or free text-message quit programs for young people. For kids who vape heavily, doctors may consider medications like Chantix or nicotine replacement therapy as part of a supervised quitting plan.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.