When smoking cigarettes was the most common form of tobacco use among teens, the smell of smoke was much easier to notice. Today, teens are vaping and using e-cigarettes that do not have the familiar tobacco smell and may not have any odor at all. If you think your teen may be vaping, there are some signs to look for:
It is very important to keep open lines of communication with your teen, so you understand what is happening in their life. If you suspect nicotine withdrawal is leading to unexplained emotional outbursts, wait until your teen is calm and gently ask about their situation. Start by explaining you want to understand their experience better, and express your concern about the behavior you observed. Keep the conversation focused on the behavior and not the person, and ask questions about the cause of the behavior. Avoid telling them what you think is the problem. Let your child know you have been reading about symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and ask if this might be underlying the behavior.