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May 15, 2025
How I work with teens who vape: building trust, understanding the pull of nicotine, and finding realistic ways to quit without constant battles.
“I know vaping isn’t healthy, but it helps me think more clearly.”
I’ve heard this from more than a few teens with ADHD. And it’s not hard to see why they believe it. Nicotine can give a short burst of focus or calm. But what most don’t realize is that the “clarity” often comes from stopping withdrawal symptoms their brain didn’t have before they started vaping.
That's why when I meet with a teen who vapes, I don’t start with a lecture. That almost always makes them shut down. Instead, I start by listening, asking, and then listening again to what they like about it, what it does for them, and when they reach for it most.
At some point, I’ll share something that surprises them: most of the “clarity” from vaping isn’t about the flavor or the buzz, but it’s the relief from not vaping. Nicotine creates an uncomfortable feeling, and taking a puff makes that feeling go away. The problem is, the vape caused it in the first place.
Imagine you’re wearing shoes that are two sizes too small. All day, your feet hurt. Every so often, you take them off for a few minutes and get instant relief! But the shoes go back on, and the cycle starts again. That relief feels good, but it’s only ending a problem that didn’t need to exist. Nicotine works the same way.
My goal isn’t to make teens feel guilty; it’s to help them see the loop they’re stuck in, and how freeing it can feel to step out of it.
When I work with teens (and often their parents, if they vape too), we explore:
How vaping fits into their day and what they think 'normal use' looks like.
The times they actually don’t want to vape, and how to make more of those happen.
Tools that can make quitting easier, from mental tricks to physical aids, like nicotine gum, patches, or medications.
I also share what the research says: quitting isn’t about willpower alone. The average person makes seven serious attempts before they succeed. That’s not failure, it’s practice. Each attempt is a chance to learn what works and what doesn’t.
For parents, I encourage keeping the conversation on the same side of the table:
“I know this is hard. I’m here to help you find a way that works for you,” instead of “You need to stop.” Teens already know vaping isn’t healthy. What they need most is to know you understand how strong the pull can be, and that there are real, evidence-based ways out.
In my sessions, I’m not trying to make them quit in one go. I’m trying to plant a seed, build trust, and help them believe it’s possible. Once they believe that, they can start forming new habits.
References
Quach NE, Pierce JP, Chen J, Dang B, Stone MD, Strong DR, Trinidad DR, McMenamin SB, Messer K. Daily or Nondaily Vaping and Smoking Cessation Among Smokers. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Mar 3;8(3):e250089. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0089. PMID: 40042845; PMCID: PMC11883493.
Lindson N, Butler AR, McRobbie H, Bullen C, Hajek P, Wu AD, Begh R, Theodoulou A, Notley C, Rigotti NA, Turner T, Livingstone-Banks J, Morris T, Hartmann-Boyce J. Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025 Jan 29;1(1):CD010216. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010216.pub9. PMID: 39878158; PMCID: PMC11776059.