Page 50 - September 2023 Issue.indd

Tips, Classes and
H ealth C orner Programs to help

you live healthier!

stereotypes have been tricked by the Conversation tips:
tobacco companies into using these
products. It’s jocks, nerds, popular kids, • Ask open ended questions. How

rebels, misfits, overachievers, and band do you feel about vaping? What
Talking With Kids & Teens About kids. All have been duped into vaping. are your thoughts about all those

Dangers of Vaping The social norm of “smoking looks colors and flavors? What do your

cool” has shifted to uncool but vaping friends say about vapes?
is seen as something entirely diff erent.
By Heather Grove, BSN, RN
Even though it’s the same tobacco • Acknowledge their strengths
companies behind the vaping products, and independence. I’m really
Summer is coming to a close and back vaping doesn’t seem to carry the same proud of all the healthy decisions
to school is right around the corner. As negative social stigma. you make. Abstaining from
kids are advancing into the next grade vaping is another choice you can
Kids in our elementary schools, as
level or transitioning into new schools make. I trust you to do that. I’m
young as third grade, have been caught
they will be faced with many new here to answer any questions you
vaping at school. By middle school
experiences and opportunities. have about vaping.
some kids report vaping everyday.

Young minds are curious. Teen minds Curiosity, flavors, and looking for ways • Be ready to hear your child
are searching for their place and enjoy to cope with stress are top reasons why. may have tried vaping. Don’t
taking risks, both kids and teens panic. Don’t yell. Share that you
I encourage parents to start talking
experience physical and psychological appreciate their honesty and that
about vaping prevention when kids
growth. In fact, the human brain you are concerned because you
are in elementary school. It’s likely
continues to grow and develop until care about their health. Set or
your child is already aware of these
about age 25. While the brain is still re-emphasize ground rules and
products and may have started to form
maturing, adults play a substantial role appropriate consequences.
some opinions. This can be a great

in youth decision making.
place to start the conversation. See • Understand Big Tobacco targets
Vaping and nicotine addiction is what they already know. Correct any kids; educate your kid about
something most adults would agree misperceptions. Educate yourself to be their tactics. Did you know
they want to protect their children aware of key facts. companies make those fl avors as

from. One of the first ways to do this is a way to mask the harshness of

There is no perfect time to talk and it’s
to educate yourself on this topic. Don’t nicotine and appeal to kids? Th ey
not a one time conversation. Ongoing
be naive thinking “my kid would never strive to hook kids because they
open dialogue and conveying clear
do that” or “it’s just the bad kids that can make a lot of money when
expectations are crucial.
get into that”. It’s not. Youth across all they get addicted, doesn’t that
seem unfair?
• Connect facts with things that
DOT/CDL
matter to your kid specifi cally;
make it personal.
MEDICAL EXAMS
You know that vaping aff ects
Complying with New
your brain. It can make it harder
Government Requirements to focus, learn, and remember
things. Wouldn’t it be a good idea
FMCSA Certified Physician to avoid that so you can get that
Prompt C.E. Jensen, MD scholarship for the IT classes you
Service Competitive want to take?
Price 410-924-8560
You’ve learned how vaping puts
Evenings and Saturdays by appointment
chemicals into your lungs. Th is
50