In the past few days there has been a lot of talk about an increase in the amount of kids who have tried electronic cigarettes. Data collected by the National Youth Tobacco Survey, and published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reports that the number of youths who have tried electronic cigarettes nearly doubled between 2011 and 2012. These numbers are alarming regardless of whether you support vapor or not. They will also be used by those who are anti-vapor in their attempt to create bans and overbearing regulations on the products. In order to both respond to critics and better educate the youth, it is important to begin a discussion about talking to children about electronic cigarettes.
Just like many other things in life, electronic cigarettes represent an indulgence that is intended for adults. Kids naturally want to try things as they grow older. Now, electronic cigarettes are officially one of those things. As they are now more prominent, and more available, it is important to include electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices in the conversation about what is appropriate for children. It’s not hard to do, you just need to plan and then have the talk.
Be Straight Forward
There’s no point in beating around the bush. It is best to directly address electronic cigarettes with your kids. Let them know that they are a product that is made for adults. Let them know that the fact that they are better for you than smoking by most accounts does make them okay for children. Reinforce that nicotine is an addictive substance, and that even non-nicotine vapor is not appropriate for children. Setting the standard and letting kids know that vapor is off limits is the first step in educating minors and nipping their use of electronic cigarettes in the bud.
Set the Example
You yourself may be a vaper. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you do need to set a proper example for the children in your life. Teach them that you vape responsibly. This can be done by vaping outside instead of right next to children in the house. You can take it a step further by avoiding the use of electronic cigarettes in public buildings. This will show them that there are in fact rules and standards to be upheld as a vaper. The more casual that you make vaping appear to be, the more likely children are to gain the opinion that it is acceptable for them to do. It’s similar the use of alcohol or traditional tobacco in this regard.
Be Involved With Impending Laws
It’s no secret that vaping is in a very free period right now. Laws have not been set that officially classify or fully regulate the sale and use of vapor products. This will change in coming months, mark our words. Being involved with the process is in line with setting the example of responsible e cig use. We advocate limiting the sale of vapor to minors, and suggest that you do as well. This will further set the example, and work to down grade the opposition’s use of statistics like the one in the study above to overly regulate the products. It will also show your kids that you are firm in your opinion that electronic cigarettes are not for them. It makes sense to limit the sale of vapor products to adults, advocating this does not make you anti-vapor, it makes you pro-children.
Talking to kids about electronic cigarettes is an important thing to do. It helps you better educate the children in your life. It also gives credibility to the vaping community by showing that we are responsible in our enjoyment of electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices. As always we are adamant about our opinion that vapor is for adults. It would be a shame if those who are opposed to vapor were able to use children to manipulate the vapor community. Feel free to share your experiences and advise in the comments section, it might just help another vaper out.