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Helping Your Child or Teen to Quit Nicotine
If your child is vaping, smoking or using nicotine pouches regularly and finding it hard to stop, you might be feeling overwhelmed. You might be thinking, How did this happen? What do I do now?
You’re not alone. These products are made to be addictive especially for young people. What matters now is that your child knows they have your support, and that there are ways to move forward.
This page will help you recognise the signs of addiction, talk about quitting without blame, and support your child through the practical and emotional steps of stopping.
Understanding the addiction cycle
Nicotine works by creating a cycle in the brain. It gives a short burst of calm or focus – but that feeling wears off quickly, leaving the brain craving more.
That craving feels uncomfortable. It can cause stress, irritability or anxiety. So the person reaches for another vape or cigarette not to feel good, but to feel normal again.
That’s what makes nicotine so addictive. It doesn’t just create a habit it changes the way the brain responds to stress and comfort. Over time, the brain links vaping or smoking with relief, even if it’s only temporary.
Your child may not be vaping for fun anymore. They may be vaping to stop feeling bad. That’s what addiction does and why it’s so important to offer support, not shame.
Understanding this can help you respond with more patience especially when your child is struggling or slipping up.
How to tell if your child might be addicted
Not every young person who vapes or uses nicotine is addicted. Some are experimenting. But here are signs that suggest it’s become a regular habit or dependency. If you’re seeing a few of these, it’s likely their body and brain have started to depend on nicotine.
They seem irritable or anxious when they haven’t used anything for a while
You’ve noticed sneaking, hiding, or going out of their way to use something
They say they want to stop but can’t
They use first thing in the morning or very regularly throughout the day
They get defensive or upset when the topic comes up
They’ve tried stopping before but gone back to it quickly
How To Talk About Quitting
Some young people simply aren’t ready. They might enjoy vaping, feel like it helps their mood, or think everyone else is doing it too. That can be hard to hear but try to stay calm.
“It’s okay if you’re not sure about quitting yet. We can still talk about it and I’ll be here whenever you are ready.”
“You might not want to stop now that doesn’t mean we can’t keep checking in and thinking about what’s best for your health.”
Keep the door open. You can still set boundaries, but focus on support rather than pressure. The more they feel safe to talk to you, the more likely they are to ask for help when they’re ready.
How To Talk About Quitting
If your child is struggling to stop, they may already feel ashamed, frustrated or stuck. Try to avoid pressure. What they need is your calm support and belief that change is possible even if it takes a few tries.
You might say:
“I know stopping is hard. This stuff is addictive, and it’s not your fault. But you’re not on your own with it.”
“If you’re thinking about quitting, we can work on a plan together. It doesn’t need to be perfect just a place to start.”
“You don’t have to want to stop forever. Just trying for one day, or one school week, is a good beginning.”
Let them take the lead where possible. You can guide, support and encourage, but the goal is to keep them involved in their own plan.
What withdrawal might look like
Nicotine withdrawal can be uncomfortable, especially in the first few days. Let your child know that what they’re feeling is normal and temporary.
Common symptoms include:
Irritability or mood swings
Trouble concentrating
Headaches
Cravings
Restlessness
Tiredness or trouble sleeping
You might say:
“What you’re feeling is withdrawal. It’s not fun, but it means your body is clearing it out. It will pass.”
“You might feel grumpy or tired for a few days, that’s your brain getting back to normal. I’m proud of you for trying.”
Small comforts can help warm drinks, quiet time, snacks, movement, fresh air. The more supported they feel, the more likely they are to keep going.
Making a plan together
Stopping nicotine is harder without a plan. You don’t need a big, complicated one — just something clear, honest and realistic that fits your child’s age and what they’re ready for.
Choose a quit date together, maybe after a weekend or during school holidays. Let them be part of the decision so it feels like theirs, not yours.
Clear out anything they’ve been using vapes, pouches, or chargers. Do it together if they’re willing. It can feel like a fresh start.
- Agree on healthy distractions for when cravings hit chewing gum, games, music, going outside, texting you, having a snack or warm drink.
Talk through tricky moments ahead of time. Think about school toilets, hanging out with certain friends, or walking past the shop. Help them plan what they’ll do or say.
Write down their reasons for stopping, even just one or two. Keep them somewhere they’ll see often on the fridge, in a phone note, or on a post-it in their room.
Celebrate effort, not just success. Acknowledge how hard it is and how strong they’re being. Even one day without using is something to be proud of.
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A few more things that can really help:
Keep routines steady especially sleep, meals and downtime
Set short goals first one school day, one weekend, one week. Build it up slowly.
Stay positive at home even small wins deserve kindness
Be ready for mood swings nicotine affects emotions. Try not to take it personally
Even if they’re not ready to stop yet, or they try and go back, your steady support and belief in them is still doing something powerful.
What about Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?
If your child is finding it hard to stop using vapes, cigarettes or nicotine pouches, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) might help.
NRT includes things like patches, gum or lozenges. These products give the body small, safe amounts of nicotine but without the harmful chemicals found in vapes or cigarettes. They can ease withdrawal symptoms like cravings, irritability and restlessness, making it easier for your child to stop.
In Wales, young people aged 12 and over can be offered NRT as part of a supported quit plan usually through services like Help Me Quit. It’s safe when used properly, and always guided by a trained advisor.
NRT is:
Medically approved
Non-addictive when used as directed
Often used for around 8 to 12 weeks
Sometimes used alongside behavioural support for better results
If you think this might help your child, contact Help Me Quit Wales or speak to your GP, school nurse or pharmacist. You don’t need to figure it out alone.
Where to get extra help
Support is available.
Help Me Quit Wales offers free, confidential stop smoking services for anyone aged 12 and up. They can talk with a trained advisor and get help tailored to young people.
Visit www.helpmequit.wales or call 0800 085 2219.
You can also speak to your child’s GP, school nurse or a local pharmacy if you’re worried about stress, anxiety or other underlying struggles.
Remember... this will take time
Quitting nicotine doesn’t always happen the first time. It’s a process. Some days will be easy, others won’t. But with your steady support and their willingness to try, change is possible.
You’re not expected to be perfect. You’re just expected to care and you already do.
That alone makes a big difference.