Vaping conversation guide for parents

This guide can help you have a meaningful, non-threatening conversation with your teen about vaping. You won’t find a set of scripted questions – we don’t want to put words in your mouth. Instead, we’ll share:

1. Conversation starters based on your teen’s vaping behaviour.
2. Insights from our research about what your teen might be thinking and feeling, and what you can say to help.

These insights are based on our recent survey interviews and in-depth conversations with teens across Australia. Through our research, we’ve developed guidance to help parents better understand what their teens think and how they feel about vaping.

Before you get started, you should note this guidance isn't based solely on age. It’s also based on your teens’ motivations and attitudes towards vaping, as well as their current behaviours.

Plan the conversation in two parts. 

1. Use Part One to determine where your teen is at with vaping
2. Use Part Two to identify the group that best describes your teen right now and the most relevant tips to use. 

You might want to pause after Part One based on how the conversation went and re-visit it later with Part Two. 

Or, if you feel confident, you can jump straight into Part Two. Only you will know the best approach, and it depends on how your teen responds. 

Remember that where your teen is at with vaping might change over time. Revisit this guide whenever you need.

Parents' opinions matter

Our research tells us that a parent’s opinion really matters to teens. Some teens don’t vape because they don’t want to disappoint their parents. Letting them know that you think vaping is a poor decision can be enough to deter many teens from ever trying.

It helps if your views about vaping are informed, based on facts, and in a relaxed and non-confrontational way.

One in three teenagers have tried vaping, and about one in five are currently vaping. So even if you don’t think your teen is vaping, be prepared for them to admit having tried it.  

Get ready to listen and talk without judgement. Be curious and interested in their thoughts and feelings. Because the safer your teen feels, the better your conversation will go and the more helpful you can be.

Start with a light touch and be curious about their world, knowing you have all the facts in your back pocket. The three question threads below should be enough to start talking about vaping, without your teen feeling interrogated or judged.

• How much vaping do you see in your friend circles or at school? (Don’t ask who or where – they might get defensive about their friends.)
• Do you think vaping is as common as social media or the media portrays it to be? 
• Is vaping something you have to go out of your way to find or avoid? Is that hard/easy? 

Whether you use one or all of these questions, try to phrase them in way that requires more than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. You can always follow up with ‘how come?’ or ‘why?’ to learn more.

For example, when you see someone vaping while you’re driving or when there’s something about vaping in the media. If your teen is busy or distracted it’s probably not the right time to start a conversation.

Quitline counsellors can guide you with expert advice. Contact them on 13 7848 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Head to their website for all the ways you can get in touch.

Go to Quitline

If Part One goes badly, your teen shuts down or won’t engage

Let them know that there are others that can support them such as Quitline, a local GP or school wellness team. For more head to vapingfacts.org.au.