KNOW THE RISKS:VAPING & YOUTH

Talking with Youth about Vaping: A Tip Sheet

Being open to talking about the harms of vaping with youth can make all the di�erence.

Learn all you can about the products For example:

• vaping doesn’t leave a smell like smoking cigarettes. • vaping products have many names such as: mods, vape pens and e-cigarettes. • vaping substances come in various types and flavours of e-juices available in stores and online. Know the Facts Get reliable information from sites such as:

• Health Canada - www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/vaping • US Health and Human Services - e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov • TobaccoFreeCA - stillblowingsmoke.org

Listen and be patient

• Avoid criticizing – youth are often less receptive to messages when they feel they are being judged. • Don’t lecture – encourage an open dialogue. • It’s okay for the conversation to happen gradually, in bits and pieces.

Set a positive example by being tobacco-free The following resources are o�ered free of charge to help Islanders interested in quitting smoking or vaping:

• Health PEI - www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/quit-smoking • Smokers’ Helpline - www.smokershelpline.ca or 1-877-513-5333

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of PEI high schoolstudents usede-cigarettes inthe past 30 days.(CSTADS 2016/17)

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?Start the Conversation

Find the right moment:

• A more natural discussion will increase the likelihood that youth will listen For example, you might ask them what they think about:

• seeing someone vaping • passing by a vape shop • seeing an advertisement for vaping in a store or online

Frequently Asked Questions by Youth:

Below are some questions you might get from youth about vaping and some ideas about how you can answer them.

Why don’t you want me vaping? • Research shows that the ingredients in e-cigarettes are addictive and harmful. • The contents of e-cigarettes can impact brain development and forever a�ect your ability to concentrate, learn and make decisions.

Aren’t e-cigarettes safer than conventional cigarettes? • Since your brain is still developing up to the age of 25, studies show that it isn’t safe for youth to use any tobacco products that contain nicotine, including e-cigarettes. • Some e-cigarette batteries have even exploded and hurt people.

I thought e-cigarettes contained harmless water vapour? • Vaping substances contain propylene glycol as well as toxic and cancer-causing metals, chemicals and flavourants. • E-cigarettes contain ultra-fine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. • Long-term health e�ects of vaping are still unknown.

I didn’t think e-cigarettes had nicotine in them? • Almost all vapes contain nicotine at di�erent levels. • Some can contain more nicotine than tobacco cigarettes. • Using nicotine makes it harder for you to process information and control your impulses. • Why don’t we look online to learn more? www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/vaping e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov stillblowingsmoke.org

Keep the Conversation Going Many adults and parents find that texting is a great way to reach youth. You can also share information from websites via social media and/or email.

• Connect and encourage. • Remind and repeat. • Share facts and resources. • Have an open dialogue. • Maintain mutual respect.

Adapted from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Know the risks: e-cigarettes and young People. Talk with your teen about e-cigarettes: a tip sheet for parents.Retrieved from: e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipSheet_508.pdf

e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov

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Vaping Health Risks• Not just harmless water vapour.

• Contains ultra-fine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.

• Contains toxic and cancer-causing metals, chemicals and flavourants.

• Long-term health e�ects of vaping are still unknown.