To wonder why vaping is ‘cool’

[Tengreen]

Dd is 13. I know a lot of her peers are vaping. Estimate around 1/4 + of the year group.
When I asked her about it her perception is that most of the ‘cool’ people vape and vaping ‘might’ make you cool if you’re not already.

But I don’t get what is cool about it. It looks pathetic to me.

She says she’s not interested in being cool but she is prone to making poor choices so although I’d be very disappointed it wouldn’t surprise me if she at least tried it at some point .

I’m pretty sure she’s completely anti smoking because of the health risks and I have some idea of how to guide her when it comes to alcohol but this vaping has thrown a bit of a curve ball.
Any insights into what the attraction is and how to make sure she doesn’t get sucked in (I’m happy with that pun 😂) would be greatly appreciated

asm.org/Press-Releases/2022/Feb-2022/Evidence-Grows-for-Vaping-s-Role-in-Gum-Disease

we know how important the white clean perfect smile is currently. Maybe the vanity aspect of losing teeth would stop teens. This is new research.

I do get this. And yes I remember the thong above your jeans thing so yes I suppose things can be cool without being classy!

I’ll emphasise the health risks and the teeth issue. I think with cigarettes she can see the damage it’s caused to people in the family so there is a clearer link but because the only people she knows who vape are all young and still healthy it wouldn’t register as similarly dangerous.

I have a teen who has been pressured to try them by the "cool" children.

I'm more annoyed by the shops near to the school. They're going in to buy them dressed in school uniform, so clearly underage, but the shops sell them without asking for ID.

Report them. Every time - report that they are selling age restricted items to school children if you see them doing so. It’s not on.

Vaping is a massive problem is school's at the moment. Older children (Yr 10 and 11) buy 3 disposable vapes for £1 at pound land and sell them to the younger years for £1 each so they make a profit.

We've had students actually vape in class in front of teachers and similar incidents are happening across the country.

3 for a pound? Jeez I am really showing my ignorance here. No wonder it’s so attractive if you can buy them for cheaper than a can of coke.

It does cause popcorn lung if it has diacetyl in it. That's a fact.

When vapes came out I thought they were a tool to stop nicotine addiction, but they seem to be just a more convenient and socially acceptable way of smoking.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/does-vaping-cause-popcorn-lung

The amount of children vaping is shocking. The disposable vapes should be banned, if we can't have straws for drinks why are single use vapes ok? I think vapes should be prescription only as an aid to stop smoking.

I agree with you @mizzo

If you have Netflix, watch the documentary series “Broken”, one of the episodes is about vaping, specifically Juul, its advertising on teens etc

I think the disposable vapes should be banned, and I say this as someone who has used them on occasion if I've been out of charge on my rechargeable vape.

They are so clearly marketed at kids and teenagers, they literally taste like ice pops. If I was a teenager now I would be all over them. It pisses me off that shops are getting away with selling them to under 18s, it should be treated as seriously as selling cigarettes and alcohol.

It makes me feel sad that youngsters are unwittingly walking into nicotine addictions because of such insidious marketing. I started smoking at 17, and have so far not been able to fully shake off my addiction to nicotine.

@Tengreen
It might be worth widening your research to more than one website. Anyways crack on

🫤 why do you think I haven’t? I get that cancer research uk might have a bias towards vaping over smoking but it’s also a face that that chemical is banned from uk vapes.
anyway-I look like I’m advocating it now which is very far from the truth-I think they are ridiculous and unnecessary for teenagers and it’s stupid to be breathing god knows what and even more dangerous to be using something with nicotine in.

Show her this picture and the family guy episode about vaping! It debunks the cool image of vaping.

Doesn't look cool, just makes People look common.

It's a good time to teach her that following the pack isn't cool at all, having your own ideas or values is much better.
Vaping is great to help stop smokers from potentially dying from cancers, however it's impact hasn't been discovered yet as to whether there are downsides health wise

So far she is all for doing her own thing. She’s certainly not part of the cool set and doesn’t want to be but if it does filter down to her friend group I can’t see her putting up much resistance. Especially if boys are involved 🙄.
Maybe I’ll tell her it makes some people throw up-hates anything to do with sick!