When it comes to teen vaping many parents feel out of their depth and conversations with teenagers can feel awkward or even confrontational.
As parents, we often feel like our teenagers dismiss much of the advice we have to offer. Many of us have had the words “you just don’t understand!” thrown back at us.
In 2022, we began a two-year journey of research to understand the social context for teen vaping. The reassuring finding, (over and above everything we learned about barriers, facilitators, motivators and enablers) was that, for many teenagers, parents are much more influential than they realise, or their conversations with their teens suggest.
When it comes to vaping having an opinion really matters. And knowing how to have calm, informed conversations at home can make a real difference.
Our research with teenagers in Years 7 to 12 across Australia set out to better understand how young people are navigating a fast-changing vaping landscape.
Categorising teenagers into “vapers” and “non-vapers” misses the complexity of what many are actually experiencing.
For some, vaping is something they are curious about; for others, it is tied to peer dynamics, identity, risk-taking or dependency. The reality is more nuanced than a simple yes-or-no label.
The findings confirmed that about one in five teenagers were currently vaping, meaning most are not — at least not yet.
What matters is that young people sit in very different places along a spectrum of attitudes and behaviours. Our research identified distinct groups, including teenagers who are curious but hesitant, those who are experimenting, and those who believe they have vaping under control when signs of dependence may already be emerging. This helps explain why different teenagers need different kinds of support and different types of conversation.
Even when teenagers seem dismissive, many say their parents’ opinions are the ones they care about most when it comes to vaping. In fact, one reason many teens choose not to vape is that they do not want to disappoint the people who matter most to them. That means parents are not powerless — they are a key part of prevention.
That is why, in partnership with VicHealth, we developed an evidence-based conversation guide for parents.
Rather than offering scripted lines, the guide helps parents recognise where their teen might be at and respond in ways that are informed, calm and non-judgmental.
It is designed to help parents start meaningful conversations, build trust and adapt their approach as their teenager’s circumstances change.
The message is simple: teenagers are listening, even when they do not look like they are.
With the right information and the confidence to speak up, parents can play a powerful role in helping their teens navigate vaping.
