Talking With Kids About the Dangers of Vaping

By Ann Marie Walker on March 7, 2025 in Children’s Oral Health

It’s never too early to talk with your kids about the dangers of tobacco, especially given the explosive growth of vaping. 

Here’s why there’s reason for concern:

• In 2024, 2.25 million middle and high school students reported current use (use on one or more days during the past 30 days) of any tobacco product, compared to 2.80 million in 2023.¹
• Tobacco products – including e-cigarettes – can increase the risk of cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, and even death.²
• In 2024, 10.1% (1.58 million) of high school students reported current use of tobacco products³

New state law and federal ban

Recognizing the dangers, the state of Illinois raised the age for purchasing tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 years old.

E-cigarettes, in particular, can be appealing to youth with fun flavors like blueberry cheesecake, and gummy bear. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a policy focusing on enforcement measures against most flavored e-cigarette products, particularly those enticing to children, such as fruit and mint flavors, except for menthol and tobacco varieties.⁴

These new state and federal measures aim to provide some protections for our children. However, parents must remain vigilant in talking with kids early and often about ways to refuse tobacco.

How tobacco affects oral health

Tobacco products can damage oral health and cause tooth loss.5 Smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco can make people more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.

We now know that vaping can be just as dangerous as smoking regular cigarettes. Using e-cigarettes increases the bacteria in your mouth and elevates your risk of oral health problems ranging from dry mouth and bad breath to gum disease, mouth and throat irritation, bone loss, tooth loss, and cavities.

Tips for talking with your kids about the dangers of tobacco

Start talking about the dangers of tobacco with your children at age 5 and continue discussions throughout high school.

Set a good example by not smoking yourself. Then, work with your kids on what they might say if they are pressured to try e-cigarettes or other tobacco products. It’s helpful to role-play so they know how to act before a situation arises. Here are some facts to help your discussion:

• Smoking can hurt your health and potentially cause serious problems ranging from cavities to gum disease, oral cancer, tooth loss, and even death.
• Vaping may seem like a safe way to fit in with friends, but tobacco products are dangerous, especially as your brain, lungs, and heart are still developing.
• It’s easy to get hooked, and it’s an expensive habit. Tobacco products contain nicotine, a highly addictive drug. Money saved by avoiding tobacco products can instead be used on clothes, electronics, or doing something both healthy and fun.
• Damaging your smile by using tobacco can negatively impact how you feel about yourself and interact with others.

¹ https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/results-annual-national-youth-tobacco-survey

² https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7244a1.htm#:~:text=In%202023%2C%2010.0%25%20of%20high,during%20the%20past%2030%20days.

3 https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/results-annual-national-youth-tobacco-survey

4 https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-finalizes-enforcement-policy-unauthorized-flavored-cartridge-based-e-cigarettes-appeal-children

5 http://www.dph.illinois.gov/news/illinois-now-reporting-fifth-illinois-resident-dies-after-vaping-related-lung-injury