Teenager admitted to buying a vape

[Unicornfeathers]

DS came down stairs really distressed this evening saying he was really sorry but he had been pressurised into buying a vape by someone at school.

He had bought it from Amazon and I had signed for it this afternoon (thought it was odd) but he lasted two hours and came clean before even using it. He was really distressed and guilty but not before he deleted messages from the person who ‘pressurised’ him. He has since told me who it was (I guessed) and said it was more encouragement but more messages have come through which admit she encouraged him.

I have let her mum know that she’s vaping (her dad bought it her) but do I let school know as it’s a SEN school and there are a number of kids being encouraged by a group.

Or am I being precious?

Mother This is what I said to him too

There is reasearch. Public Health England has done a review and said vaping is 95% less risky than smoking.

Surely that's 5% more dangerous than doing neither?

Also, there hasn't been time to study longer term impacts.

'What harm? ' are you insane?

Small update - school took it seriously and ‘dealt’ with the issue.... they didn’t elaborate but DS said his class were searched and a number of mods (amongst other things, inc cigarettes) were confiscated. Interestingly DS himself said that those with cigarettes had started out just vaping then moved on the nicotine shots in the vape then on to cigarettes.... I know the PH research says otherwise but clearly it depends on the peer group / pressure involved.

Thankfully DS wants a PS4 and is saving up so doesn’t want to waste his money elsewhere

Glad the school sorted it out, OP, and that your DS is happier now.

I don't think vapes are safe.

Hell, 60 years ago we thought smoking was safe and it was very much encourages.........the long term effects of baking won't be known for a few years. I don't think they'll be positive ones.