Dazzling rise in the number of young vapers over the past...

Nancy Labrecque knows that her 12-year-old son started vaping when he entered high school. Even if she is aware of his actions, she is not reassured.

This is worrying because they don’t know what they are vaping. They are not all aware of the danger. Mine told me mom, it’s not dangerous, because it tastes like fruit, she says.

Few parents are however aware that their child is vaping. According to a Léger study, 5% of parents think their children are vaping while the reality is up to six times greater. In two years, young people who vape have gone from 16 to almost 32%.

A worrying fact, believes the pediatrician and researcher specializing in drug addiction and adolescent medicine, Dr Nicholas Chadi.

Young people can vape in their bedrooms, in their classrooms and even at school and not many people will notice it because there is no smell left and it is a very small device, explains the doctor.

While the long-term effects are little known, the short-term ones are harmful, says Dr Chadi, among others on the respiratory system.

We see cases of young people presenting to the emergency room with severe respiratory illnesses.

First awareness campaign for parents

The Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health is launching an awareness campaign, the first aimed at parents.

Vaping is really a new phenomenon among our young people that is passing under our noses. There is a disconnect between the parents’ perception of vaping and the reality, which is what is worrying. The electronic cigarette has been so well positioned as a smoking cessation tool that now parents don’t think their kids can vape. This is the new gateway to smoke, for our young people, says the Executive Director of the Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health, Annie Papageorgiou.

A video and help tools for parents can now be found on the website www.parlonsenmaintenant.ca (New window) .

It helps parents know how to approach the subject with their child. We invite them to watch the video with their youngster and to open the discussion, this is extremely important, believes Annie Papageorgiou.