When we think about addiction, we often imagine it as something that happens slowly over time. But the strategies Big Tobacco employs are carefully crafted to hook young people quickly. Modern vaping devices are not only highly addictive but are also ingeniously marketed to appeal to teens.

In fact, according to the Monitoring the Future study, vaping prevalence among U.S. adolescents remains alarmingly high. The study revealed the following:

• 12.1% of 8th graders, 18.9% of 10th graders, and 25.6% of 12th graders vaped in the past year.
• Near-daily vaping (20+ days in the past 30 days) was reported by 1.7% of 8th graders, 4.2% of 10th graders, and 7.8% of 12th graders.

Let’s take a closer look at the five levels of vaping addiction and how they work to keep users dependent.

1. Nicotine: The Brain’s Hijacker

Nicotine is the foundation of vaping addiction. But why is it so addictive, particularly for teens?

It all begins with the mesolimbic do...

October has arrived, and with it comes Let’s Talk Month—a perfect reminder to engage in important conversations with your kids. As a parent, I know how challenging it can be to approach tough topics like relationships, sexual health, and growing up, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, the more you open up and talk to your children about these issues, the stronger the connection you’ll build with them.

Over my 20 years of working in sexual health education, I’ve seen firsthand how a lighthearted approach—using humor, fun activities, and storytelling—can make even the toughest subjects easier for parents and kids to navigate together. At The Talk Institute, I’ve developed courses designed to help parents create that bond, ensuring their children see them as approachable, which is key to building an ongoing, trusting relationship.

Why October is the Perfect Time to Start THE Talk

In today’s world, kids are exposed to more information than ever, especially from social ...

Is there a wrong way to talk to your kids about sex?

There are five things that parents do wrong all the time, and I don't want you making these same mistakes. Are you fully confident that when your child has questions about their body changes or how bodies come together, that they will actually come to you with their questions about sex? Did you know that there are really five things that parents do wrong all the time when they're having the talk with their child? What do you imagine that they might be? 

I’d like to begin with a quick story as I actually remember one of the first questions I had about sex. I didn’t ask a parent though, I asked my oldest sister...I was about 5 years old, we were in the car, and I asked the most popular sex question, “Susie, where do babies come from”? Her reply, “Honey, I think we need to talk about that when you are a little bit older.” I may have been young and I know she thought so and maybe she wasn’t comfortable or sure how to share that informa...