A report released in April this year by the Department of Health and Social Care revealed that vaping has tripled among children over the last three years. 

While it remains illegal for anyone under 18 to buy e-cigarettes in the UK, unfortunately this often doesn’t stop children getting their hands on these products, leaving many parents wondering whether their own children could be secretly vaping without their consent. 

With this in mind, online vape retailer Go Smoke Free analysed 50 TikTok videos detailing how to hide vapes or small items, to uncover where your child is most likely to be secretly storing a vape. 

These hiding spots, often shared by teenagers on TikTok, are designed to help their peers avoid being caught by their parents and having their vapes confiscated. 

The most common hiding spots for small items according to TikTok  

Mentioned in 40% (20 out of the 50) of the TikToks analysed, was hiding small items inside unused clothing. This included inside hoodie pockets, rolled up in jumpers or simply buried in between socks.  

Hiding small items behind paintings, canvases and posters was the second most common location, mentioned in 28% of TikToks. These videos often suggested taping the item to the inside of a wall canvas frame to take advantage of the dead space inside. 

Placing items directly inside a pillow or the pillowcase itself was the third most commonly suggested hiding spot and was mentioned in 22% of TikTok videos. 

Hiding items in or around bedroom drawers was the fourth most common location (20% of videos). Taping the item to the underside of the drawer, again where there is often dead space, was a frequently suggested tip. 

Ranking fifth was stashing vapes or small items under bedroom mattresses or bed frames, which was also mentioned in 20% of videos. Tucking the item in between the mattress and the bed frame slats was a common suggestion.  

Vapers on TikTok also often propose hiding vapes inside stuffed toys. Doing so typically involves placing the vape into a pre-existing or cut small hole in the toy. 

It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that your teenager keeps their vape inside a glasses case or jewellery box. Perhaps your teenager is a skincare or perfume fanatic – it’s possible that they use old bottles to hide their vapes.  

Other locations included tucking the item into plants or fake books, taping their vapes behind or on top of bedroom fixtures, such as ceiling fans, lights or behind a wall mounted TV. 

Unassuming items, such as hairbrushes, that have a hollow compartment and can easily be twisted open could also be used to house a vape. In fact, some retailers on TikTok promote hairbrushes specifically designed to store vapes inside of them. 

Online code words related to vaping 

While vapes can be hidden almost anywhere, it isn’t recommended that you raid your child’s room in an attempt to find them. There are other signs that your teenager might be vaping – such as the language they use online. 

TikTok has certain censorship rules that many people try to get around when posting online. This is particularly true for TikTok sellers, who often try to illegally sell vapes to teenagers and children on TikTok shop. These often advertise a harmless product but use code words that indicate to kids that their package will actually contain a vape. 

Often, these items are disguised as lip gloss or candy/sweets, but the posts come with hashtags such as #elfbundles, #puffbars, #geekbar and #elfbar that indicate a different intention. The hashtags #discreetshipping, #hiddennic and #noID are also red flags to be aware of. The products often come concealed in innocent-looking items, such as sealed hair scrunchies. 

How to talk vaping with your kids 

Despite the potentially harmful nature of vapes, its recommended to exercise caution when approaching your children over the subject and has suggested tips for opening a non-confrontational dialogue that makes the situation better rather than worse.  

If you’re concerned about whether your child has picked up this damaging habit, the following advice may help you nip it in the bud before it becomes a bigger issue. 

According to the Department of Health, 1 in 5 children have tried vaping – so it’s understandable that you’d want to question your child if you suspect them of using vapes. That said, it’s best to approach your child carefully and avoid confrontation that could escalate the situation. 

Rather than accusing your child, consider pointing out a news story on vaping and using it to begin a natural conversation, where you can ask your child what they think and give them a space to raise any questions. Explain the risks involved in vaping in a straightforward, non-judgmental way that allows them to be more informed about the choices they make. 

Remember to ensure that you are sensitive and caring when discussing the issue with your child. It’s good to communicate any concerns you have in a way that makes it clear you have their best interests at heart. You want your child to feel safe to open up about any experiences they have with vaping, so don’t make them feel like they’re in trouble. 

Confiscating or banning vapes may ultimately make your child more likely to rebel and become more determined to possess and use vapes. Therefore, you should avoid confronting them angrily, invading their privacy, and demanding they stop using vapes, particularly in ways that may feel a threat or a punishment. These tactics are unlikely to work and may make your child distrustful or fearful of you. 

If your child is adamant about vaping, there is no guaranteed way to make them stop. What you can do, though, is create a supportive environment that fosters communication, awareness and good decision making. With these things in mind, you may be able to get to the root cause of your child’s vaping and give them the tools to lead healthier lives.