Since the 2010s, e-cigarettes, or vapes, have exploded in popularity among teens, resulting in a surge of nicotine dependence and addiction. If your teen has decided they want to quit vaping, there are lots of resources available to you and them. Behavioral interventions tend to work better than medical ones in most cases, including setting a quit date, removing vapes from the home, making plans to address triggers, and developing coping strategies. Pediatricians can be a great place to start for teens who want to stop vaping. If your teen is a heavy nicotine user, nicotine replacement products may be considered. These include gum, patches, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers. For anyone under the age of 18, a prescription is required in order to get nicotine replacement products. While some parents may worry that these products will simply replace vaping, they actually have a low potential for misuse since they release nicotine slowly. One of the hardest parts of quitting vaping is the cravings. Distraction and exercise have both been proven to help cravings pass. It is important for teens to have a support network, like their parents and friends (who do not vape). Additionally, teens can text “DITCHVAPE” to 88709 to be connected to a support program.
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