Healthy Minds @Highvale

Smoking, Vaping and Young People

Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping. 

Smoking and vaping are highly addictive, especially for teenagers. The chemicals and nicotine in them can cause lung damage, heart disease and cancers and harm the brain development of children and teenagers. 

Research shows that young people care about what their parents, carers and older siblings think and do about smoking and vaping. 

Some tips on how you can talk to your young person about smoking and vaping:

• Start with information and key facts.

• Approach it calmly.

• Don’t make assumptions. Avoid making accusations.

• Avoid judging or lecturing. Consider questions like: ‘how did it make you feel?’ And ‘what made you want to try?’

• Focus on health and explain your concerns.

Support and resources about smoking and vaping: 

• Your family doctor (GP)

• Quitline quit.org.au 13 78 48 and their free App ‘My QuitBuddy’

• Headspace

• Student Wellbeing Team

The Department of Education also has resources that discuss the facts, the risks, how to talk to young people about vaping, and where to get support. Please visit

https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents for more information. 

You can view this video from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for more health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

Penny HSIAO

Health Promotion Nurse