Vaping Resources
Vaping & Young People
Through the delivery of our specialised Alcohol & Other Drug Education Program, our Empower Education team regularly speak with young people, teachers and parents about Vaping and E-cigarettes.
While we know that most young people in Australia have not vaped and do not intend to, there is still concern for young people who choose to vape, and continued concern that these young people may not know their health is at risk.
Below, we have compiled the latest information about vaping and e-cigarettes that can be used to support young people and the community.
Join us in becoming informed about the harms of vaping and together, we can empower young people to make positive, healthy choices for themselves and their communities.
Vaping Vs E-Cigarettes: Is There A difference?
Although introduced as ‘electronic cigarettes’, shortened to ‘e-cigarettes’, these devices are now commonly referred to as ‘vapes’ with use known as ‘vaping’.
While they appear to be new, e-cigarettes have been around for over 20 years, initially promoted as a safer alternative to smoking.
E-cigarette companies have marketed the use of these devices as ‘vaping’ to disconnect from known harms of cigarette use. Flavours were strategically added to vapes to make them more appealing to a new generation of users.
When most people think of vaping, or see a person using a vape, they might think it looks a lot like water vapour or steam.
Because vapour is a natural process and widely considered safe, there has been a lot of confusion around whether vapes are a safer than smoking cigarettes because they do not produce smoke.
There is still no sufficient evidence to prove that vape use is a safer alternative to smoking. However, there is growing evidence that using these devices is harmful to a person’s health and wellbeing.
Quicklinks
What is a Vape?
E-cigarettes (Vapes) are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid (e-liquid) into an aerosol that a person inhales into their lungs.
They do not produce flavoured water vapour or steam. E-cigarette aerosols are similar to the aerosols that come out of common spray cans, such as spray deodorants, air fresheners and bug spray.
Vapes can vary in shape and size. Some are disposable, refillable and rechargeable. All vapes share the same key components and work in a similar way.
What Is In A Vape?
Researchers have identified over 200 chemicals in vape e-liquids, commonly referred to as ‘juice’. Vapes also release heavy metals and other toxic particles as they are used and break down with regular use.
Propylene Glycol
Used in medicines, cosmetics, cleaning products and smoke machines. Known to cause toxic effects to the central nervous system.
Glycerin
Found in food products and flavourings. Used as a sweetener and preservative, but not proven safe to inhale.
Nicotine
High risk of dependence. Harmful to the developing brain and mental health.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals and toxic particles like aluminum, lead and nickel are released when a vape is used, or as it breaks down with regular use.
Flavourings
Flavourings in vapes can be harmful. Some flavourings are safe to eat, but many are not safe to inhale.
Formaldehyde
Toxic when inhaled. Used as a preservative in cleaning products. Known to cause cancer and lung damage.
What Are the Health Risks of Using Vapes?
Vaping is harmful to a person’s health and wellbeing, and the health impacts of 80% of chemicals inhaled through e-cigarette aerosols are still unknown.
Known Health Risks
The known health risks associated with vaping include:
- Asthma attacks and allergies triggered by e-cigarette aerosols
- Permanent lung damage (referred to as EVALI or Popcorn lung)
- Breathing and respiratory problems
- Increased risks and harms related to other common viruses and infections such as Covid-19, Influenza, and Pneumonia
- Nicotine and other chemicals in e-liquids are associated with headaches, anxiety, poisoning and seizures
E-cigarettes & Nicotine
The drug of concern, nicotine is one of the most common ingredients found in e-liquids. Vapes can contain nicotine even though they are labelled “nicotine free”. Some e-liquids have been found to contain over 50 cigarettes worth of nicotine.
Regular nicotine use can negatively impact mental health, especially for young people.
Nicotine is harmful to the developing brain, affecting a person’s ability to learn, focus and retain memory. Using nicotine can lead to dependence. Young people are at a greater risk of harm from nicotine and other drugs because their brains are still developing.
A person may be dependent on nicotine and may experience withdrawals if they feel like they need to vape or smoke to relieve symptoms like cravings, headaches, stress and anxiety, depression, or just to feel normal.
Support for a Nicotine Dependence
Many people choose to vape thinking it will help to relieve stress, depression and anxiety, but for some young people using nicotine leads to dependence.
It’s important to remember that dependence is a health condition, and many people need additional support to stop.
With the right information and support, a person can get back to feeling more like themselves again.
If someone wants support to manage a nicotine dependence, they can see their regular doctor! All General Practitioners (GPs) can support a person through a nicotine dependence.
Nicotine e-liquids and other nicotine products are available through a GP or pharmacy by prescription only.
Need support? See support available below!
How to Respond to an Emergency involving a Vape?
Whether a person has vaped for the first time, or if they are an experienced user, emergency situations involving e-cigarettes and vaping can still happen because these devices are not safe.
Know when to call 000
Seek help immediately by calling 000 if you see someone vaping and not behaving normally, such as…
- Mouth and airway irritation affecting their breathing
- Persistent coughing – struggling to breathe normally
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty with speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
- Seizures
Over a longer period of time, you might notice other symptoms including…
- Everyday dependence
- Harm to the developing brain
- Respiratory problems
- Lung damage
- Death due to lung damage
For more information, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
What are the legal considerations in South Australia?
E-cigarettes and vaping have come under the same laws and regulations as tobacco and smoking since 2019.
It is illegal in Australia for any persons under the age of 18 to buy any vaping device and product (nicotine and non-nicotine), and it is against the law for anyone to promote, market or sell vapes to people under the age of 18.
From January 2024, all disposable vapes and nicotine-free vapes are now banned.
From July 2024, vapes with nicotine are only available at pharmacies to help people quit smoking or manage a nicotine dependence.
It is now illegal for any other business, such as vape shops, convenience stores and tobacconists, to sell any type of vape or vape product.
It is also against the law to vape in public places that are already designated “smoke-free” areas, including in a motor vehicle if a child under the age of 16 is present.
An easy way to remember this?
If you know it’s a smoke-free area, it’s a vape-free area, too.
What support is available?
Reach out to a friend or adult for support.
Call Quitline Australia on 13 78 48 or visit www.quit.org.au.
Talk to your GP Doctor or visit Health Direct.
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
Text Lifeline on 0477 13 11 14 to chat via SMS.
Vaping Resource
Download our Vaping Factsheet (PDF) to have all the important vaping-related info you need at your fingertips!
Get in Touch Today
Our Empower Education program is available to present to Year 7 to 12 students, parents and teachers with specific content on this topic.
Get in touch with us today!