Parents

It can be difficult to broach a subject like vaping with your child as they know it’s something they are doing without your knowledge.

But we encourage you do so as it’s illegal to vape under the age of 18 and your child could be at risk of harm to their health.

Here are some pointers on how to deal with your children who are vaping, drawing on the advice of health and parenting experts:

Stay calm and measured rather than coming over as angry
Understand why they have taken to vaping – approach the conversation with curiosity rather than giving a lecture. This gives them the opportunity to open up on things that are behind their vaping and the degree to which they are doing it
Ask open-ended and non-judgemental questions

Let them know you’re concerned and have an honest discussion about the risks of vaping
If the conversation throws up deeper and concerning reasons relating to their take up of vaping consult the family doctor
Equip them with support and resources including those on this platform

In addition to opening up a conversation with your child consider approaching the retailer who sold your son or daughter the vape if you are able to identify them. The retailer’s identity might come out of the heart-to-heart with your child or your knowledge of a shop that they frequently use, allowing you to see if the retail outlet in question sells the type of vapes that you have found in the possession of your son or daughter.

Speak to the retailer you have identified as being the potential culprit and explain the situation. Be non-accusatory to avoid confrontation unless you have all the evidence you need to pin the retailer to the unlawful sale of a vape product to a minor. Tell them that you are going to report your child’s purchase of vapes and suspicion as to where they are buying them to your local Trading Standards officer.

You should also consider familiarising yourself with the legal requirements of vapes in the UK which cover disposables if you are concerned about the welfare of a son or daughter who you know has taken up vaping, whether they are under-age or an adult. The UK Vaping Industry Association has published a guide for this purpose.

Finally, if your children inform you of adverse health conditions that they suspect being caused by vaping, please report these to the Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) via its Yellow Card scheme.