Vaping - please enlighten me

[GoodAsGold21]

Hi,
First post on here to please be kind.
My OH is a foster carer, has been for 15+ years, it's his thing, not mine but I'm supportive and have a good relationship with his foster children.

I was wondering if you could let me know your thoughts on this:

His youngest DS(15) recently started smoking, a typical teen thing, I know. He switched to vaping- my OH is happy with this and has bought him a vape and e-juice (as though he's encouraging it??)

I feel that he's not made DS aware of the health risks, and the fact that they were picking out eJuice flavours as though they were shoes made me feel a little worried. OH lets him vape in the house, car, while out and about etc,. At a contact with DS's mum, both mum and DS had vape breaks, I didn't think this was a good look...

My OH has asked me to not drink in front of DS as it looks unprofessional, but for him to vape is ok...

I've spoken OH who says he's ok with it because DS's upbringing was different to mine- I completely accept that, and am well aware- I often try and make special occasions special for DS as I know his past was hard.

Please let me know what you think- Thanks :)

Do you mean his birth son or his foster son?

@namechangedforthisoneok Hiya, it's his foster son (I've not quite got the hang of the acronyms!)

Hi @GoodAsGold21. So your OH's foster son started smoking then your OH took him to choose a vape pen and juice instead? That's a great first step in quitting nicotine. If it's a choice between cigarettes and vaping, vaping is far safer for him. My husband and I both quit smoking through using a vape pen, then weaned down the nicotine content to zero before quitting vaping.

Your OH also makes a fair point; without understanding the young person's background, it can be tricky to appreciate the best way to deal with their health and welfare.

Is there a specific concern you have around the child vaping?

I wouldn't be buying these things without the agreement of social workers. Your OH needs to take the lead from them!

I was going to say has this young persons social worker given this the okay?

I remove vapes from my 15 year old foster son if I find them.
I wouldn’t condone this.

Does your other half know that vapes leave wax in the lungs? There are many in the medical profession who think they're as bad or even worse than regular ciggies. Look up vaping x-rays. The wax builds up and has to be melted to be released in extreme cases. I wouldn't want my dc vaping.

Just joining in because I vape and after quitting a 20 year cigarette habit I'm pro vaping, that said I'm primarily anti children vaping BUT if it's to replace cigarettes, I'd accept that

There are no known health concerns with vaping (despite the haters making up a lot of rubbish) many of us have been vaping over 10 years now no side effects.

I would encourage foster son to use vaping as a stepping stone to quitting because I doubt it's a habit he can fund himself

Sorry but that really is a load of crap

If someone is smoking it is much, much safer for them to be vaping. I'm talking about regulated U.K. products, not stuff in America which has had vitamin E/THC/god knows what in

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/smoking-and-cancer/is-vaping-harmful

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2020/03/05/8-things-to-know-about-e-cigarettes/

https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2018/dec/28/vaping-is-95-safer-than-smoking-claims-public-health-england

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/using-e-cigarettes-to-stop-smoking/

No way would I be buying vapes for my FC. I know they vape. I know they buy vapes with their pocket money. I do not take them shopping for them. If I ever found them in the house they’d go in the bin.

We definitely aren't allowed to 'encourage' vaping, just as you wouldn't smoking.
Not allowed to smoke/vape in the home.
Vaping as a way of quitting nicotine is the only reason I'd even consider it but be aware even Doctors cannot prescribe a vape to an under 18. That is illegal. However MOST teenagers do not use it to quit smoking. They do it because of a social acceptance/ 'norm' within their friendship groups.

ANYTHING like this needs to be done with the awareness/agreement of CSW and his SSW. He could get into a lot of trouble.