Health Corner

Connect facts with things that matter to your kid specifically; make it personal.

You know that vaping affects your brain. It can make it harder to focus, learn, and remember things. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to avoid that so you can have a good shot at getting into the play this year?

School can be really stressful sometimes. Especially since you’ll be going into middle school this year. Let’s talk about some healthy ways to cope. How can I best support you when you’re having a stressful day? Let’s come up with some ideas now so we have a plan for when those rough days come up.

You’ve learned how vaping puts chemicals into your lungs. This could damage your lungs and affect how well you do on the soccer team. Do you think it would be worth it to risk your performance when you’ve worked so hard?

I know you really want a new iPhone and have started working and saving up for it. I’m really proud of your dedication. It’s great to have financial goals and not waste your money on things like vaping or nicotine pouches.

Young minds are curious. Teen minds are searching for their place and enjoy taking risks. Kids and teens experience physical and psychological growth. In fact, the human brain continues to grow and develop until our mid-twenties. While the youth brain is still maturing, adults play a substantial role in youth decision making.

Nicotine addiction is something most adults would agree they want to protect their children from. One of the first ways to do this is to educate yourself on this topic. Learn what products are trending. Disposable vapes, brands like Elf Bar and Vuse, along with nicotine pouches, brands like Zyn, Velo, and Rogue seem popular right now. Don’t be naive thinking “my kid would never do that” or “it’s just the bad kids that get into that”. It’s not. Youth across all stereotypes have been tricked by the tobacco and nicotine companies into using products that contain nicotine.

It’s jocks,overachievers, nerds, rebels, popular kids, rednecks, misfits, and band kids. Kids across every social class have all been duped into vaping. The social norm of “smoking looks cool” has shifted to uncool but vaping is seen as something entirely different. Even though it’s often the same tobacco companies behind the vaping products, vaping doesn’t seem to carry the same negative social stigma.

Kids in our elementary schools, as young as third grade, have been caught vaping at school. By middle school some kids report vaping everyday. Curiosity, flavors, and trying to cope with stress are top reasons why. Popularity of nicotine pouches has been growing and use of these products can be easily concealed.

I encourage parents to start talking about nicotine prevention when kids are in elementary school. It’s likely your child is already aware of these products and may have started to form some options. This can be a great place to start the conversation. See what they already know. Correct any misperceptions. Educate yourself to be aware of key facts. There is no perfect time to talk and it’s not a one time conversation. Ongoing open dialogue and conveying clear expectations are crucial.

Conversation tips:
● Ask open ended questions. How do you feel about vaping? What are your thoughts about all those colors and flavors? What do your friends say about vapes? What have you heard about nicotine pouches?
● Acknowledge their strengths and independence. I’m really proud of all the healthy decisions you make. Deciding to never use products that contain nicotine is another healthy choice you can make. I trust you to do that. I’m here to answer any questions you may have. If I don’t know the answer, we can research together.
● Be ready to hear your child may have tried vaped. Don’t panic. Don’t yell. Share that you appreciate their honesty and that you are concerned because you care about their health. Set (or re emphasis) ground rules and appropriate consequences.
● Understand Big Tobacco targets kids; educate your kid about their tactics. Did you know companies make those flavors as a way to mask the harshness of nicotine and appeal to kids? They strive to hook young people because they can make a lot of money when they get addicted, doesn’t that seem unfair?