Parents and guardians are being cautioned that children are hiding vapes because of online hacks.
According to a startling Department of Health and Social Care report published in April of this year, youth vaping has tripled in the previous three years. Although purchasing e-cigarettes is still prohibited in the UK for anyone under the age of 18, however, this doesn’t always stop kids from getting their hands on these goods.It may leave many anxious parents to question if their own kids are vaping in secret without getting their permission. 50 children were admitted to hospitals last year for diseases related to vaping, 11 of them were under the age of four.2023 saw the co-authorship of a report by Queen Mary University of London paediatric respiratory medicine professor Jonathan Grigg, which included a warning that children who use vapes are “more likely to take up tobacco smoking”. He stated: “This increase in hospitalisations is a totally predictable consequence of the government’s decision to allow a vaping free for all – with flavours designed to be attractive to children and young people and the disastrous assumption that vaping has little or no adverse health effects.
It was discovered that minors who use social media to vape were receiving advice from other e-cigarette users on how to conceal their devices through hacking. These hiding places are intended to help their classmates avoid getting caught by their parents and having their vapes confiscated. Teens frequently post these locations online.
Go Smoke Free, an online vape retailer, has discovered the most likely places for your youngster to be hiding a vape device. The majority of covert vapers often conceal little objects inside discarded clothing. This includes tucked between socks, rolled up in jumpers, or inside sweatshirt pockets.The second most often mentioned location, as reported by 28% of online users, was hiding small items behind paintings, canvases, and posters. In order to capitalise on the empty space inside a wall canvas frame, these tutorials frequently advised taping the item to the inside. Additionally, experts discovered that people have been using pillows or pillowcases as hiding places.
The fourth most popular spot was around or within bedroom drawers, where people also hid things. One often-suggested tip was to tape the item to the drawer’s underside, again an area where dead space is common. Vapes and other tiny objects were discovered hidden beneath bed frames or mattresses in bedrooms.
Online vapers also frequently suggest concealing them inside plush toys. Usually, this entails inserting the vaporizer into a tiny hole that has been drilled or already present in the toy. Additionally, experts claim that teens frequently store their vape devices inside jewellery boxes or glasses cases. Additional placements included hiding the object beneath or on top of bedroom equipment like lights, ceiling fans, or wall-mounted TVs, or tucking it within fake books or plants.A vaporizer might also be housed in an unassuming object, such a hairbrush with an easily twistable hollow chamber.
How to discuss vapour with your childrenEven though vapes have the potential to be hazardous, you should be careful when talking to your kids about them. There are suggested ways to start a non-confrontational conversation that will improve rather than worsen the problem.
One in five kids have tried vaping, according to the Department of Health, so it seems sense that you would want to interrogate your kid if you think they might be using one. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to speak with your youngster gently and steer clear of any dispute that can get out of hand.
In their advise on how to talk to your child about vaping, experts at Go Smoke Free stated: “When talking to your child about vaping, remember to be compassionate and loving. It’s wise to express any worries you may have in a way that demonstrates your concern for their well.Steer clear of violent confrontations, invasions of privacy, and demands that they give up vaping, especially if they come out as threatening or punitive. These strategies are not likely to succeed and could instill mistrust or terror in your child.
There’s no surefire method to get your vaping youngster to quit if they’re so passionate about it. However, you may establish a welcoming atmosphere that encourages awareness, communication, and sound decision-making. Keeping these points in mind could help you identify the underlying reason behind your child’s vaping and provide them with the resources they need to live healthier lives.
Should you be experiencing any of the issues mentioned in this article, please contact us, and we will see what we can do to help with your situation.