Health Experts Say Parents Should Talk to Their Kids About Vaping

Federal health officials are trying to figure out what they can do to stop kids from vaping, but they’re facing a tough battle going against the flavored smoking devices some kids just don’t think are that bad for their health.

Health experts in Connecticut say while the number of teens using e-cigarettes is a bad thing, the issue getting attention is positive.

“Just because there’s different flavors doesn’t stop the harm it brings to you,” said Glastonbury seventh-grader Ian Duncan.

Duncan seems to have heard the warnings from his mother and his health class about the dangers of e-cigarettes, unlike many of his peers who may be missing the message.

The surgeon general on Tuesday called the use of e-cigarettes among young people an epidemic amid a reported 75 percent increase in high school student use from last year, and a 50 percent increase by middle schoolers.

Ian’s mother said she has regular conversations with her son about the dangers of the vaping practice as it grows in popularity nationwide.

“I think if you don’t talk about it, it becomes something that kids just do on their own. I think it needs to be brought to light and the more discussions you have I think the better it Is for everybody,” Laurie Duncan said.

Manchester Health Director Jeffrey Catlett said more conversations about the issue can lead to prevention.

“For a while now we’ve known it was a serious public health problem. Now that it’s a public health epidemic, I think the awareness will help us create more avenues for education,” Catlett said.

That education, he said, has to start with an emphasis on one thing - that e-cigarettes, no matter their flavor or unique branding and packaging, can cause serious health problems.

“Overall teens do not understand the risk. Even though the risk is lower with e-cigarettes, there’s still a significant amount of chemicals,” Catlett said.

E-cigarette maker Juul said it’s working to curb youth access to its products.

Catlett suggested that the holidays, when families are spending more time together, may be the perfect time to take to kids about vaping. He said parents should simply ask their kids if they know anything about it to start a dialogue.